Underrated Sri Lankan Dishes That You Cannot Miss
Sri Lanka is a culinary paradise for all food lovers with its vibrant palate of flavors that go from hot curries to sweet sweets. While rice and curry, kottu roti, and hoppers seem to be in the forefront, there are plenty of lesser-known Sri Lankan foods that must not be left out. If you want to branch out from favorites, the following are some of the lesser-known Sri Lankan foods that you have to try.
1. Lunumiris with Roast Paan
Lunumiris is a spicy Sri Lankan sambal made of Maldivian dried fish (umbalakada), chili, lime, and onions. It has a punch of spice and umami and is the perfect accompaniment to roast paan—a crunchy, slightly chewy bread toasted in a wood-fired oven. Spicy, tangy lunumiris and warm, crunchy roast paan are an easy but delicious combination.
2. Thalana Batu (Thai Eggplant) Curry
Thalana batu, or Thai eggplant, is a little green vegetable that is often underutilized in Sri Lankan cuisine. When it is used in a rich coconut milk curry with mustard seeds, garlic, and turmeric, it tastes deep and slightly bitter and is best served with a side of steamed rice.
3. Kalu Pol Wattakka (Black Coconut Pumpkin Curry)
Pumpkin curry is a staple in Sri Lankan homes, but kalu pol wattakka is a step above. Prepared with roasted coconut (kalu pol), black pepper, and fragrant spices, this one has a rich, smoky, and nutty taste that is different from the typical bland pumpkin curries.
4. Jaffna Kool
Jaffna Kool is a flavorful seafood soup made in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province using a mixture of crab, prawns, fish, and cuttlefish. The soup is thickened with palmyra flour and flavored with tamarind, which results in a sour, spicy, and warm dish that reveals the distinct flavors of Jaffna cuisine.
5. Ulundu Wadei
Much less popular than its more popular cousin, parippu vadei (dal fritters), ulundu wadei is a fritter made with urad dal (ulundu) that has a crunchy outside and soft, slightly chewy inside and is served either with coconut chutney or as a side to a cup of hot Sri Lankan tea.
6. Kiri Aluwa (Milk Toffee)
Kiri aluwa is a sweet fudge dessert made of condensed milk, cashews, and a pinch of cardamom. It is rich and creamy in texture and is enjoyed by many on Sri Lankan celebratory occasions. This underappreciated treat is not to be missed by anyone who loves something sweet.
7. Maalu Ambulthiyal (Sour Fish Curry)
A specialty in Southern Sri Lanka, maalu ambulthiyal is a sour and hot fish curry made using goraka (a sour fruit), black pepper, and pungent spices. The fish is slow-cooked until the spices permeate deep into the flesh, leaving a very strong, umami-rich dish that complements plain rice or pol roti very well.
8. Helapa
Helapa is an old-fashioned Sri Lankan snack of kurakkan (finger millet) and coconut, which are steamed wrapped in kanda leaves. The soft, sweetened treat is an excellent gluten-free option and a nutritious substitute for richer sweets.
9. Mung Kavum
A Sinhala and Tamil New Year classic, mung kavum is a sweet fried sweet made using mung bean flour, coconut treacle, and rice flour. It is doused in a crispy batter and has just the right amount of sweetness and crunch, making it a great teatime treat.
10. Wambatu Moju (Eggplant Pickle)
Wambatu moju is a spicy, sour, and sweet eggplant side dish caramelized in vinegar, sugar, and mustard seeds. The eggplant absorbs all the deep flavors and becomes a tangy and slightly crunchy side dish that is simply gorgeous when served alongside a plate of rice and curry.
Final Thoughts
Though Sri Lankan cuisine is full of legendary foods, these hidden foods have unique flavors deserving more notice. Whether spicy, sweet, or sour tastes are your favorites, these hidden stars deserve your attempt. Next time you visit Sri Lanka or dine on Sri Lankan food, do not forget to add these to your list of must-haves!
