When it comes to bold flavors, fiery spices, and soul-satisfying comfort food, Sri Lankan cuisine knocks it outta the park.
From the coconut-drenched curries to crispy snacks fried to golden perfection, every bite is a wild ride of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy.
This island nation packs a serious punch when it comes to food, and if you’ve never dabbled in it before, now’s the time.
Whether you’re into rice and curry combos that fill the whole plate or you’re more about handheld eats you can munch on the go.
This list is serving up some of the most unforgettable Sri Lankan recipes you just gotta try at least once.
These dishes are perfect for your weeknight dinners, weekend cook-offs, or when you’re simply in the mood for something totally different. Let’s dive into these flavor bombs.
1. Sri Lankan Chicken Curry
This dish is the MVP of every Sri Lankan kitchen. Packed with juicy chicken simmered in a rich blend of spices and creamy coconut milk, this curry brings comfort with a kick.
It uses curry leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and chili powder that coat every piece of meat with flavor. It’s saucy, it’s spicy, and it’ll warm you right up.
Ingredients: Chicken (bone-in or boneless), coconut milk, onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, chili powder, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, curry leaves, oil, salt.
How to Make It: Heat oil in a large pan and fry onions until golden. Toss in ginger, garlic, and spices.
Stir until fragrant. Add chicken and sear until lightly browned. Pour in coconut milk and let it all simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Add salt to taste and cook until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thick.
Why did this make it to our list
This Sri Lankan chicken curry is an absolute flavor bomb. It hits every note—spicy, creamy, rich, and satisfying.
Plus, it’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like a five-star restaurant.
2. Kottu Roti (Chopped Flatbread Stir-Fry)
Kottu Roti is what you’d get if stir-fry, curry, and flatbread had a wild party. It’s noisy, messy, and mouthwatering.
Made by chopping up godamba roti with metal blades on a flat grill, this dish mixes in veggies, eggs, and meat—all tossed together with some spicy curry gravy.
Ingredients: Godamba roti (or tortillas), chicken or beef, onion, carrots, leeks, green chilies, garlic, eggs, curry powder, soy sauce, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Chop up the roti into strips. In a hot wok or pan, stir-fry onions, garlic, and veggies.
Add meat and cook through. Scramble in the eggs, then toss in the roti pieces.
Drizzle in curry gravy and soy sauce. Keep stir-frying until everything’s mixed and hot.
Why we chose it
Kottu Roti is pure Sri Lankan street food magic. It’s loud, bold, and packed with textures.
If you want something that’ll keep your taste buds dancing, this is your jam.
3. Pol Sambol (Spicy Coconut Relish)
This isn’t your average side dish—it’s a punchy coconut sambol that elevates any meal.
Pol Sambol is spicy, tangy, and full of tropical vibes. It’s made with grated coconut, lime juice, red chili flakes, onions, and Maldive fish (optional).
It goes great with rice, roti, or even just by the spoonful if you’re brave.
Ingredients: Fresh grated coconut, red chili flakes, lime juice, onions, salt, black pepper.
How to Make It: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Smash with a spoon or pestle to blend flavors. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Why we selected it
We picked Pol Sambol because it’s a small dish with big energy.
Just a spoonful transforms plain rice into something unforgettable. It’s zippy, fresh, and a staple in every Sri Lankan household.
4. Dhal Curry (Parippu)
Simple, hearty, and comforting—this lentil curry is an everyday hero.
Made with red lentils cooked down with turmeric, onions, garlic, and a splash of coconut milk, this dish is the definition of cozy.
You can eat it with rice, flatbread, or even on its own.
Ingredients: Red lentils, onion, garlic, green chilies, turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, coconut milk, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Boil lentils with turmeric and water until soft.
In a separate pan, sauté onions, garlic, chilies, and mustard seeds in oil. Add cooked lentils and coconut milk. Simmer until creamy.
Why we chose it
Dhal curry made the list because it’s a comfort food classic.
Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just need a soul hug in a bowl, this one’s always a good idea.
5. Fish Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry)
This sour fish curry is bold and unique. Made with chunks of firm fish like tuna, it’s simmered in a dark, dry-style curry with lots of black pepper, garlic, and dried goraka (a souring agent).
It’s not saucy—it’s sticky, intense, and unforgettable.
Ingredients: Tuna or firm white fish, dried goraka, black pepper, garlic, turmeric, curry leaves, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Soak goraka in water. Marinate fish in spices and goraka. Sauté curry leaves and garlic in oil.
Add fish and cook on low heat until the liquid reduces and fish turns dark and tender.
Why did this make it to our list
We had to include Fish Ambul Thiyal because it’s unlike any curry out there. It’s tangy, bold, and speaks to Sri Lanka’s deep love for seafood done right.
6. Eggplant Moju (Brinjal Pickle)
Sweet, sour, and slightly sticky—this eggplant dish is like a flavor rollercoaster.
Sliced eggplant is fried till golden, then tossed in a syrupy mix of vinegar, sugar, onions, and mustard seeds. It’s often served cold, which makes it even more addictive.
Ingredients: Eggplant, vinegar, sugar, onions, mustard seeds, turmeric, green chilies, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Deep-fry eggplant slices. In another pan, heat oil and fry onions, mustard seeds, and chilies.
Add vinegar and sugar to make a syrup. Mix in the eggplant and coat well. Let it sit to absorb flavors.
Why we selected it
This one earned its spot because it’s got that perfect balance of sweet and sour. Plus, it’s the kind of side dish that always disappears first at dinner.
7. Sri Lankan Yellow Rice (Kaha Bath)
This golden-hued rice dish isn’t just pretty—it’s rich with spices and infused with coconut milk.
It’s often paired with chicken curry or spicy sambols. The aroma alone will make you weak in the knees.
Ingredients: Basmati rice, turmeric, cardamom pods, cloves, pandan leaves, coconut milk, salt.
How to Make It: Wash rice. In a pot, combine rice with coconut milk, water, and all the spices. Simmer until rice is fluffy and aromatic.
Why we chose it
Yellow rice brings elegance to the table. It’s a humble dish that makes every meal feel like a feast.
8. Watalappan (Coconut Custard Pudding)
Dessert time! Watalappan is a creamy custard made with coconut milk, eggs, jaggery (unrefined sugar), and spices like cardamom and nutmeg. It’s smooth, rich, and melts right on your tongue.
Ingredients: Coconut milk, jaggery, eggs, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla extract.
How to Make It: Whisk together eggs, jaggery, and spices. Add coconut milk. Pour into ramekins and steam until set.
Why did this make it to our list
Watalappan is comfort in dessert form. Sweet, silky, and totally addictive. No Sri Lankan recipe list is complete without it.
9. Hoppers (Appa)
Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk.
The center is soft and spongy, the edges crisp and lacy. They’re often eaten with sambol or a runny egg dropped in the middle.
Ingredients: Rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, yeast, salt.
How to Make It: Mix ingredients and let it ferment overnight. Pour a ladle into a small wok and swirl to coat the sides. Cover and cook until edges are crispy.
Why we chose it
Hoppers are a breakfast or dinner must-have. They’re light, fun, and just straight-up delicious.
10. Sri Lankan Beetroot Curry
This one’s a stunner. Beetroot curry is earthy, slightly sweet, and vibrantly pink.
It’s cooked in coconut milk with mustard seeds, onions, and curry leaves. Surprisingly good with rice!
Ingredients: Beets, onions, mustard seeds, curry leaves, coconut milk, turmeric, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Boil beets until tender. Sauté onions, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Add beets, turmeric, and coconut milk. Simmer until creamy.
Why we selected it
We picked this because it’s healthy, tasty, and colorful enough to make your plate pop. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to enjoy more veggies.
11. Sri Lankan Pumpkin Curry
Pumpkin in a curry? Yup, and it’s amazing. This dish is mildly sweet, soft, and full of spice.
Pumpkin chunks are simmered with coconut milk, curry leaves, and mustard seeds. It’s perfect with rice or roti.
Ingredients: Pumpkin, mustard seeds, curry powder, green chilies, curry leaves, coconut milk, salt, oil.
How to Make It: Sauté mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add pumpkin and spices. Pour in coconut milk and simmer until pumpkin is soft.
Why did this make it to our list
It’s comforting, full of flavor, and one of the best veggie curries from Sri Lanka. A total crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
These 11 best Sri Lankan recipes are packed with bold spices, creamy textures, and unforgettable tastes.
Whether you’re into meaty curries, veggie wonders, or sweet treats, there’s something here that’ll make your taste buds do a little happy dance.
The best part? You don’t need to travel across the world to experience it—you can bring Sri Lankan soul food right to your kitchen.