Sri Lanka is not only a paradise for those looking for beach bliss but also for foodies craving to try some new culinary creations! Of course, choosing what to eat is no easy task, so, to help you get started, here are some essential dishes to savour on your visit.

Hoppers
If your mind is drifting to an image of grasshoppers, please stop right now… “hoppers” in Sri Lanka is a dish that’s definitely not related to any insect! Shaped like a bowl, it has a soft, pancake-like centre, while the sides are crispy and light. You get several variations including the popular egg hopper, with a fried egg in the centre. It’s a popular street food and is even served at properties like Avani Kalutara Resort which offer such local specialities as part of their on-site dining.

Prawn and Crab Curries 
Rice and curry is a Sri Lankan staple and while you get curries with meats or veggies, those made with fresh prawns or crabs are not to be missed. They are, of course, popular in coastal areas which makes dining in Kalutara such an excellent choice. Resorts like the one mentioned above have restaurants and room service options where you can savour everything from jumbo prawn curry with garlic rice to lagoon crab curry served with roast bread and coconut sambal.

Devilled Delights
True to its name, “devilled” dishes are full of fiery flavours and scintillating spices! They generally consist of stir-fried meats and veggies (usually tomatoes, onions and capsicum) into which various spices, thick tomato chilli sauce and soy sauce are added. Generally, chicken, beef, pork, fish, prawns or cuttlefish are used and you can enjoy this dish as an appetiser or with steamed basmati rice if you want something more filling.

Watalappan
No foodie feast is complete without trying one of the most beloved desserts in Sri Lanka, namely watalappan (or watalappam). This pudding is actually quite similar to cream caramel in texture. It’s made with coconut milk, eggs and jaggery, which provides it with a sweet flavour. Added to this is cardamom, which offers a slight spice. Suffice it to say, it’s bound to be another fave in your culinary journey of discovery!