Sri Lanka food tours offer a spicy carnival of experiences for the foodie, drawing from the country’s diverse heritage across Indian, Malay, Arab, Dutch, and Anglo culinary influences. Sharp and vibrant in both colour and flavour, its spice mixes often form the core of any real food tour Sri Lanka has to offer, an experience that could be multi-sensory, especially when exploring the source spice plantations, with results that pleasure the bold palette – and perhaps not the faint-hearted.
Notably, Sri Lanka food is a firm favourite among vegans with coconut and vegetarian ingredients forming the base of most dishes. In fact, the staple diet – Sri Lanka rice and curry, rich in its variety of vegetables and herbs can be enjoyed at it’s best without requiring the addition of meat items.
We at EPIC Sri Lanka Holidays, take pride in showcasing the treasure trove of Sri Lanka culinary tours and traditions. Each meal offers a sensory journey with heady spices, tropical ingredients, and unique preparation methods.
Sri Lankan rice and curry sets itself apart from its Asian counterparts by requiring a myriad of colour that traditionally dictated the right balance of nutrition. This staple dish is a feast of flavors, typically served with red or white rice and accompanied by an array of curries made from vegetables, lentils, and if preferred, meats. The humble coconut, through its oil, milk and pulp forms the base of most dishes, while onions, powdered dry chilies, green chilies, turmeric, and curry leaves are key ingredients. A raw or sauteed herb sambal or mallun as they call it, is also a key component of a Sri Lankan rice and curry alluding further to the importance of nutrition and balance in diet.
A breakfast favourite in our Sri Lanka food tours are certainly – Hoppers; bowl-shaped crumpet-like pancakes made from fermented rice flour, often served with a spicy sambal and curry. Other staple delicacies often found in hotel buffets and breakfast menus are Kola Kanda (herb porridge), coconut roti, traditional milk rice and various pulses prepared with Sri Lankan spices.
Culinary tours in Sri Lanka offer an irresistible enticement to seafood enthusiasts, with a rich variety of both marine and freshwater offerings – especially, Crustacean. Spicy crab curry, prawns thel dala (in coconut oil), and fish ambul thiyal (a sour fish curry) are some of the must-tries of our list.
Street food is another highlight of a good culinary tour in Sri Lanka. Kottu roti, a dish of shredded flatbread mixed in dramatic fashion with meats, egg, vegetables and even cheese is an absolute must. Street vendors prepare the dish to a loud and rhythmic drumming beat, chopping and frying the ingredients simultaneously with metal spatulas.
Ceylon tea and the pride and love of it is amply reflected in Sri Lankan food culture. A cup of Ceylon tea paired with a sweet like a coconut toffee or Jaggery (local palm sugar) is not just a treat a but cultural exploration, a truly memorable experience for any traveler.
