Sri Lankan Famous Food: 35 Must-Try Dishes for Every Food Lover

Step into any Sri Lankan kitchen and you’ll sense centuries of history in a single spoonful of curry. The same cinnamon that once drew ancient traders across oceans still perfumes the morning tea, while fiery curries cooled by coconut milk show the art of balance in Sri Lankan famous food.

Every Sri Lankan curry tells a story – whether it’s jackfruit cooked the way Buddhist temples have prepared it for centuries, or black pork curry that hints at Dutch and Portuguese colonial era. It’s food that makes you understand why this teardrop-shaped island was once the pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Rice and Curry – The National Pride

Sri Lanka’s beloved national dish represents the heart of its culinary tradition. This daily staple features steamed rice served with an array of curries, showcasing the country’s mastery of spice combinations and cooking techniques.

Must try: With papadums, pickles, and various sambols

Price range: LKR 300-800 (INR 75-200)

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Kukul Mas Curry – Spiced Chicken Delight

This aromatic chicken curry embodies Sri Lankan curry mastery, where tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich gravy of coconut milk and an intricate blend of spices including cinnamon, cardamom, and curry leaves.

Must try: With rice, pol roti, or string hoppers

Price range: LKR 400-800 (INR 100-200)

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Fish Ambul Thiyal – Sour Fish Curry

A specialty of southern Sri Lanka, this unique preparation features chunks of tuna slow-cooked with goraka (a dried fruit), creating a distinctively sour and spicy flavor profile that’s unmistakably Sri Lankan.

Must try: With steamed rice and gotukola sambol

Price range: LKR 500-1000 (INR 125-250)

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Lamprais – Dutch-Influenced Rice Bundle

This Dutch-Burgher contribution to Sri Lankan cuisine features aromatic rice, mixed meats, and various accompaniments, all wrapped in banana leaves and baked. The leaves impart a unique fragrance to this complete meal.

Must try: With a cold ginger beer

Price range: LKR 600-1200 (INR 150-300)

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Kottu Roti – Chopped Flatbread Symphony

Kottu represents Sri Lankan street food at its finest, featuring chopped godamba roti stir-fried with vegetables, eggs, and meat or seafood. The rhythmic sound of metal blades chopping on the griddle announces its preparation.

Must try: With spicy curry sauce and chili paste

Price range: LKR 200-600 (INR 50-150)

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Hoppers (Appa) – Bowl-Shaped Pancake Art

These crispy-edged, bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk represent Sri Lankan breakfast creativity at its best. The crispy edges give way to a soft center, perfect for holding various accompaniments.

Must try: With Lunu miris and seeni sambol

Price range: LKR 50-150 per hopper (INR 12-37)

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String Hoppers (Idiyappam) – Rice Noodle Artistry

String hoppers showcase the delicate art of Sri Lankan cuisine, featuring rice flour pressed into thin, noodle-like strands and steamed to perfection. These delicate rice noodle patties serve as a beloved breakfast staple and dinner option throughout the island.

Must try: With coconut sambol and spicy dhal curry

Price range: LKR 100-300 (INR 25-75)

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Kiribath (Milk Rice) – Ceremonial Rice Dish

Kiribath holds deep cultural significance in Sri Lankan cuisine, prepared by cooking rice with creamy coconut milk until it achieves a rich, pudding-like consistency. This dish plays a central role in celebrations and auspicious occasions throughout the year.

Must try: With lunu miris or sweet palm treacle

Price range: LKR 200-500 (INR 50-125)

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Polos (Green Jackfruit Curry) – Meat-Free Marvel

Polos represents Sri Lankan culinary ingenuity, transforming young jackfruit into a meat-like curry through careful spicing and slow cooking. The texture and flavor make it a favorite among both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Must try: With red rice and pol sambol

Price range: LKR 300-600 (INR 75-150)

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Parippu (Dhal Curry) – Lentil Comfort

This creamy lentil curry stands as a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cuisine, featuring red lentils simmered with coconut milk and aromatic spices. Its comforting nature makes it a daily staple in most households.

Must try: With rice, string hoppers, or roti

Price range: LKR 150-400 (INR 37-100)

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Gotu Kola Sambol – Fresh Herb Salad

This nutritious salad showcases Sri Lanka’s masterful use of fresh herbs, combining finely chopped gotu kola leaves with grated coconut, onions, and chili peppers. The result is a refreshing dish that perfectly complements richer curries.

Must try: With rice and curry or as a palate cleanser

Price range: LKR 150-400 (INR 37-100)

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Pol Sambol (Coconut Relish) – Essential Side Dish

This vibrant coconut relish represents the perfect balance of Sri Lankan flavors, combining freshly grated coconut with red onions, chili peppers, and lime juice. The optional addition of Maldive fish adds a distinctive umami depth that transforms this simple condiment into an essential accompaniment.

Must try: With hoppers, string hoppers, or any rice dish

Price range: LKR 100-300 (INR 25-75)

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Lunu Miris (Onion Chili Relish) – Fiery Condiment

Lunu miris showcases Sri Lanka’s love for bold flavors, featuring a hand-ground paste of red onions, chili peppers, and lime juice. This fiery condiment adds an essential heat and depth to many traditional dishes.

Must try: With hoppers, roti, or as a spicy enhancement to any meal

Price range: LKR 100-250 (INR 25-62)

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Seeni Sambol (Caramelized Onion Relish) – Sweet and Spicy Delight

This complex condiment features onions slow-cooked until caramelized, combined with spices, sugar, and tamarind to create a sweet, spicy, and tangy relish that elevates any dish it accompanies.

Must try: With string hoppers, rice, or as a sandwich spread

Price range: LKR 200-500 (INR 50-125)

Best served with:

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Isso Vadei (Prawn Fritters) – Coastal Snack

These distinctive lentil fritters topped with whole prawns represent the perfect street food snack, combining crispy texture with protein-rich ingredients. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft, spiced interior.

Must try: With spicy ketchup and hot tea

Price range: LKR 50-150 per piece (INR 12-37)

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Malu Paan (Fish Buns) – Baker’s Delight

These soft, freshly baked buns filled with spicy fish mixture represent Sri Lanka’s unique take on stuffed breads. The filling combines flaked fish with onions, spices, and potatoes, creating a perfect breakfast or snack option.

Must try: With a cup of Ceylon tea

Price range: LKR 100-250 per bun (INR 25-62)

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Pol Roti (Coconut Roti) – Rustic Flatbread

This beloved flatbread combines shredded coconut with wheat flour to create a hearty, satisfying bread that serves as both a breakfast staple and satisfying snack. The addition of fresh coconut gives the roti a unique texture and subtle sweetness that sets it apart from other flatbreads.

Must try: With Lunu miris or dhal curry

Price range: LKR 50-150 per roti (INR 12-37)

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Pittu – Steamed Rice Cylinder

Pittu exemplifies Sri Lankan culinary innovation, featuring alternating layers of ground rice flour and fresh coconut steamed in cylindrical molds. This unique preparation method creates distinct layers that provide both visual appeal and textural interest.

Must try: With Kiri hodi (coconut milk gravy) and pol sambol

Price range: LKR 150-400 (INR 37-100)

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Devilled Dishes – Spicy Fusion

Devilled preparations represent Sri Lanka’s adaptation of Chinese-influenced cooking techniques, featuring proteins stir-fried in a spicy, sweet, and sour sauce. This cooking style has evolved to become distinctly Sri Lankan, incorporating local spices and flavors.

Must try: With Fried rice or as an appetizer

Price range: LKR 500-1000 (INR 125-250)

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Maalu Ambulthiyal (Sour Fish Curry) – Preserved Fish Delicacy

This unique preparation method uses goraka (a natural preservative) to create a distinctively sour fish curry that can be stored without refrigeration. The absence of coconut milk allows the complex spice flavors to shine through.

Must try: With red rice and fresh vegetables

Price range: LKR 500-1000 (INR 125-250)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sri Lanka’s National Dish?

Rice and curry is considered the national dish of Sri Lanka, featuring rice served with multiple curries, sambols, and accompaniments. Each region has its own unique variation of this foundational dish.

Is Sri Lankan Food Expensive?

Sri Lankan cuisine offers excellent value for money. Street food typically costs between LKR 100-500 (INR 25-125), while restaurant meals range from LKR 500-2000 (INR 125-500), depending on the location and dishes ordered.

What Type of Food is Eaten in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan cuisine features a diverse mix of rice-based dishes, curries, seafood, and numerous vegetarian options. The food is characterized by the use of coconut, aromatic spices, and fresh local ingredients.

What is a Typical Sri Lankan Breakfast?

Traditional Sri Lankan breakfasts include:

• Hoppers (plain or egg)
• String hoppers with curry
• Pittu with dhal curry
• Milk rice with spicy sambol
• Pol roti with curry
• Fresh tropical fruits

How Spicy is Sri Lankan Food?

Sri Lankan cuisine can be quite spicy, but most establishments offer varying levels of spiciness. Traditional preparations often incorporate chilies and black pepper, but dishes can be modified to suit different preferences.

What are Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Methods?

Sri Lankan cooking incorporates various techniques, including:

• Slow-cooking in clay pots
• Tempering spices in hot oil
• Grinding fresh spice pastes
• Steaming in banana leaves
• Grilling over open flames
• Fermenting rice batters

What Currency is Used in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). As of 2025, 1 LKR equals approximately INR 0.25.