When in Sri Lanka one must leave no stone unturned in trying out the nation’s cuisine which takes on varying proportions. In short, assortment, texture and colour are the heart and soul of Sri Lankan food. To the foreign national thinking of calling by the island nation shortly, here is a detailed take on what types of food you should opt for and how to set about indulging in some of the finest food on the planet.

Never shy away from dabbling with local menus and trying your hand at different combinations of food, whether it be deeply rooted in tradition or made to newly discovered recipes. For what it is worth, conduct your own research and read up on what comprises Sri Lankan cuisine. During such endeavours, you will soon begin to realize that the food in Sri Lanka is best known for its spice-based creations and vegetarian dishes that continue to grace dining tables, regardless of whether you find yourself at an up-market restaurant in Colombo or a road-side café in Galle.

Sri Lankan cuisine comes complete with a reputation for serving some of the spiciest food imaginable which to the sensitive palate, may seem a tad too far of a temptation. However, this is where talking to the chef of your hotel, resort or guesthouse can come to your rescue. Make it a practice to inform those in the kitchen of your preferences and importantly, discuss the details of certain allergies that you would need to address long before placing any order. Common allergens and nuts are easily found in food in this part of the world which may not be to your liking. Therefore, it would be prudent on your part to make your intentions clear at the very outset so that you set yourself on a delightful journey through the pungent aromas of Sri Lanka’s food scene which has left an indelible mark on the local culture.

A staple in the Emerald Isle, rice and curry brings with it memorable opportunities to taste good portions of a choice of your favourite meat coupled with vegetarian dishes or curries & perhaps, onion sambal or chutney. The latter features equal quantities of sweetness and spiciness that in turn, enhances the appeal of mealtimes. Also, to eat like a Sri Lankan, one must be depicted behaving like one and for this, it is a must that you use your hands to mix the rice and its accompaniments into sizeable balls before utilizing your thumb and forefinger to manoeuvre the food into your mouth.

The streets that dot Colombo and particularly, the area called Galle Face Green are where one must make a date to satisfy one’s street food cravings. For example, the hawker stalls that feature prominently when taking a stroll through Galle Face Green will hand you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tuck into bursts of crunchy and aromatic eatables. One such variant is ‘Isso Vadei’ which translates to ‘Prawn Patties’ in English. Made with a flour-based dough which is deep fried with prawns on top, this speciality is served piping hot and topped off with a smearing of onions, chilli and a local sauce that will have you licking your lips after every bite. A household name well worthy of mention and indulging is ‘Kottu’ which is a combination of spiced vegetables, meat and pieces of rotti thrown onto a metal grill or wok that is best had with gravy and chilli paste.

With fishing communities scattered across coastlines, beginning from the west, moving over the south and towards the east of the country, one would always be within arm’s reach of delectable seafood creations. From fiery hot lagoon crab curries, and sweet and sour prawn dishes to grilled fish specialities, one’s tastebuds will be afforded a holiday of their own when in Sri Lanka. Say, for example, you are contemplating a stay at Amagi Aria, there are several things to do in Negombo, including some of the best seafood on the island! As guests, one would have complete access to such spreads that ooze in zest and texture.