WHAT TO EAT IN: SRI LANKA

In oktober we spend 3 weeks In Beautiful and diverse Sri Lanka. We backpacked the whole country and visited every region and over 15 different cities. It‘s safe to say we not only travelled the whole country, but ate our way through it. Sri Lanka is a natural Vegan‘s paradise with every single restaurant or little shop serving something delicious to eat.

The National dish is Rice and Curry, and you will literally find it everywhere. I know to some it might sound like eating rice and Curry almost everyday for 3 weeks would be really boring, but in Sri Lanka rice and curry is not just one single dish, but 5-10 little bowls of different types of curries. The only thing one has to make clear is that they don‘t put dried fish in (as they consider it a topping and not an actual animal). Also, most places won‘t know the word vegan so for them vegan is simply vegetarian.

RICE AND CURRY

1. Dhal curry, onion curry and potato curry all mixed together

2. Pumkin curry

3. Dhal curry

4. Mixed spicy beans

5. steamed Herb and lotus mix

6. The curries together.

Keep in mind that even though theres so much food, It‘s only 2 orders of curry.

HOPPERS

Usually these are called egg hoppers as many places they will put a egg inside of them when they cook. but you can simply ask them to leave out the egg and then theyre vegan! they are made of fermented rice and coconut.

FRIED ZUCCHINI, CHILI SALAD

One of my favorite things we had was this fried aubergine, zucchini and chili salad! we got to cook with a local family where she taught us how to make this. If you are in the south, definitely try to see if you can find this!

ROTTI WITH CHILI OR COCONUT SAMBOL

Pictured is a Rotti with onion/chili and Coconut Sambol (locally called pol sambola) and a bowl of dhal curry. this also comes in many variations and every place puts their own spin on it, so you never really get tired of it. The coconut sambol is for sure a MUST TRY. it is so delicious and really hits that perfect balance between sweet and spicy.

FILLED VEGETABLE ROTI

VEGETABLE DOUGHNUTS

These vegetable rottis are usually filled with some kind of Dhal or vegetables and are perfect when you are on the go and just want a snack, or if you are feeling a bit hungry. The Veggi doughnuts are more filling than regular doughnuts, and are savory with a taste of herbs. sellers come in with big baskets filled with both on the train and on the bus, and you can buy them as snacks both in restaurants and from street sellers. I personally prefer the vegetable rotti‘s over the doughnuts as they get a bit too greasy for me.

VEGETABLE KOTTU

I know what your thinking. ‘‘that looks like chicken?!‘‘ i thought the same when i first stumbled upon kottu. The vegetable Kottu is a mix of all kind of vegetables and layered rotti which is then shredded and chopped into the dish while it is frying.

The chopped Roti really does something special to the dish and somehow gives almost a meat subsitute kind of consistency in my opinion. you can get this almost everywhere, but remember to tell them to do it without egg, as some places will do it and some places won‘t.

RICE COCONUT CAKE (KIRIBATH)

Kiribath is usually served for special occasions, Like the Sri Lankan New Years but I got to try it twice. its made from thick coconut milk and a special type of rice. and is both served with sweet and savory sides.

LOCAL FRUIT AND FRUIT JUICES

The Fruit i ate the most in Sri Lanka has to be Papaya. In sri Lanka so many different types of fruit is grown and it is really a fruit lovers paradise. unfortunately mango wasnt really in season when we were there but there was lots of ripe and juicy papayas to make up for it. hands down never tasted papaya thyt was so ripe and delicious before.

Also, in many places they serve fruit juices. They are super delicious, but remember to ask them if they can use mineral water, as many places they dont recognize the danger for foreigners drinking tap water, as their bodies are used to the water but ours are not and can therefore become seriously ill. if not sure, then buy are bottle of mineral water from them and just give it to them, as then you are sure they will use it. Also, Icecubes are also made with tab water, so I usually just asked them for no Ice in drinks etc.

I never used to care too much about these things while traveling, until I travelled to Myanmar in April and came back with Typhoid fever which sent me straight to the hospital quarantine and knocked me completely out for a few months. Now i feel i would rather take a few small precautions instead of risking to get a serious illness.