15 Most Famous Street Foods in Sri Lanka

1. Kottu Roti

Kottu roti is created with a variety of flatbread named “Godhambara roti”, which derives from paratha from India. Rotti Bread is shredded and combined with vegetables, meat, and eggs ( vegetarian or vegan options are available in this dish ), as well as fragrant spices and condiments. The entire mixture is then chopped and mixed on a big flat skillet with two large steel chopping cutters, which produces that distinctive sound and the theatrics of creating kottu roti. Of course, numerous street traders will maintain their rhythm when using those cutters, which drive for a mouthwatering and delightful meal.

Our Suggestion for trying this food: 

If you visit, like the Galle Face Green, a spectacular green ground facing the ocean beside the most bustling Colombo-Galle highway, and you visit other places in Colombo, try this mouthwatering Kottu Roti. 

2. Egg Hoppers ( Biththara Appa )

Hoppers is another well-known Sri Lankan Street food among locals and international tourists. Appa, Hoppers are a variety of meals, especially for Breakfast and Dinner. A plain hopper is made from rice flour, and They are apathetic in taste and mainly served with ‘Katta Sambol’, a spicy condiment. Therefore, you should test the egg hoppers and plain hoppers.

Our Suggestion for trying this food: 

Nuwara Eliya and the surrounding area are some of the most vibrant locations in Sri Lanka, where you can spend prolonged lush greenery, calm weather and Hot Egg Hoppers.

3. Parippu Vada ( Vadai)

Parippu Vada ( Vadai ) is a patty made from red split lentil dahl and toor Pigeon Peas. These lentils are washed and soaked for a few hours, setting coarsely, and then mixed with finely diced onions, green chillies, ginger, and curry leaves. Little balls are made and flattened, then deep-fried in oil. It tastes divine and is best with the Sri Lankan arrack or beer. 

Our Suggestion for trying this food: 

The Jaffna region has the most stunning attractions in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Jaffna is known for its dominant Tamil inhabitants, and the hospitality of the villagers will surely impress any visitors. Also, there is that Jaffna Vadai.

4. Ulundu Vada

Ulundu Vada is a traditional South Indian influence treat commonly prepared at home in Tamil Communities, making it an essential part of daily life. It is prepared using black lentils or urad dal batter and deep-fried in oil. This soul-satisfying crispy vada dipped in piping hot sambhar with chutney completes it all the more tempting. Now those food are available from many street vendors and restaurants with wide varieties.

Our Suggestion for trying this food: 

Trincomalee is a harbour city with many attractions on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The beaches are popular for surfing, scuba diving, whale watching, and fishing. Furthermore, trying this Ulundu Vadai while you visit Places in Trincomalee makes for the most satisfactory experience.

5. Roast Pan ( Thin roasted bread )

unique Sri Lankan flatbreads with the proper proportion of thick, tough outside and soft scoop are appropriate for breakfast with coconut sambal, or at any moment with dahl or fish curry, or dipped in tea.

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Ratnapura is found about 100 km southeast of Colombo and is well-known for being the gem trading centre of Sri Lanka. Besides gems, the Ratnapura area is rich with archeological sites, Rain forests, wildlife, waterfalls and many more Places to visit in Ratnapura that you can explore. Tea and Roast Pan best fit your meal while you are in Ratnapura.

6. Pan Roll

Sri Lanka’s popular snack is made with a spicy vegetable and tuna filling wrapped with a light pancake, breaded and deep-fried until crisp and golden. They are called Chinese rolls because they look like a little Simiiler Chinese egg roll; during colonial times, Chinese labourers were conveyed to Sri Lanka and settled in Sri lanka as small but influential minority residents; most believe this dish originated then. 

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Ella is renowned for its magnificent attractions and unique visitor experiences. Ella nine arch bridge on the Hills, indulge in local therapy, explore the great outdoors, or wander through Sri Lanka’s most scenic views for your Instagram. Don’t miss trying that presently deep-fried pan rolls with hot tea while visiting the Ella attractions. 

7. Pol Rotti

Having roti with chilli sambal is extremely popular among Sri Lankans. and is also served with chicken curry and chilli sambal as side dishes. This classic Pol roti is usually served for breakfast or dinner and can occasionally be utilised for evening tea.

Sri Lanka is a tropical island with plenty of coconuts, and people use coconut in many forms in their daily cooking. Usually, dishes are graced with freshly grated coconut and some coconut milk, Plain flour and coconut oil. A few simple ingredients and the meal is ready to be served only minutes later. Add some grated carrot, chopped onion, curry leaves, and green chilli to make delicious roti, and you can try it from many street vendors.

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Kandy is the last Singhalese Royal Kingdom of Sri Lanka, with panoramic geography encircled by attractive peaks discovered in the centre of the aisle, placed 1,600 feet above Sea Level. Visiting places in Kandy and having that fresh Pol roti at Kandy street vendors brings a renewed experience to your stamina.

8. String Hoppers ( Indi Appa )

Indi appa is a classic dish in Sri Lanka and South India. It consists of rice flour combined with warm water and salt and then squeezed into a press to form thin noodles. The noodles are then steamed before being served with coconut sambol and gravy. 

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Anuradhapura is renowned for Archaeological sites, civilisation, food and attractions placed upon an iconic inheritance setting. Visiting places in Anuradhapura and having freshly made string hoppers and curry gives you a proportional venture.

9. Godamba Roti

Godamba roti, or murtaba as it is named in Singapore, is part of our street food culture. Little restaurants along the streets would serve kottu roti – shredded godamba roti tossed with egg, vegetables and meat. But some prefer to have it with curry gravy or an egg put into a roti with gravy.

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Badulla is the centre of Uva Province in Sri Lanka. The Namunukula range of mountains overshadows the town. Suppose you see attractions in Badulla and have grilled Godamba roti, and Dhal is a must-do experience.  

10. Lavariya

Sri Lankan Lavariya is made with a Sweet stuffed string hopper and is popular in Sri lanka as a tea-time snack. Likewise, You can have these for Breakfast or Dinner. Also, the Stuffing is made with coconut and jaggery. This Lavariya is available from many street vendors and restaurants with few varieties. Those are the most common foods in restaurants and street sellers in rural Sri Lanka. 

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Discover the variety of attractions in Polonnaruwa during your vacation in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, and have freshly made Laviriya from street vendors bring that eye and taste bud experience to your life. 

11. Pittu

Traditional Sri Lankan eats forever satisfy you; most involve straightforward ingredients like rice and coconut.  

One dish made from coconut and rice flour is Pittu, which comes to Sri Lanka from Kerala in India and is also known as Puttu or Putu there. 

Pittu has traditionally been eaten for breakfast in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, it is also eaten for lunch or dinner and is a popular meal among local restaurants and Street vendors.

Pittu is made from coconut mixed with rice flour, forming a crumbled texture. Then, that mix is put in the cylinder tube steamer and steamed for 5-6 minutes. The mixture is ready to be eaten with warmed coconut milk, lung mirin, fish, meat, or vegetable curry. Pittu is available with either red or white rice flour; it is a lovely gluten-free meal.  

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Arugam Bay Beach is in the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s Southeast coast. It is 220 km due East of Colombo. The area is essential for fishing and tourism activities. In addition, it is best for Like Pittu and other eastern-style curries.

12. Dosa ( those )

In its most simple form, dosa is crisp and crepe-like and is trendy street food in Sri Lanka. Dosa is renowned for its easy ingredients and delicious, little bitter taste. It can be eaten as a breakfast or anytime you’re in the mood for a delightful, flavorful feed! 

Like many Sri Lankan foods, dosa, which originated in southern India, varies depending on area and occasion. But, of course, there are also versions of dosa differentiated by their various fillings, like Masala dosa, which is made up of lentils, potato, fenugreek, and curry leaves and served with sambar and chutneys.

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Matale is important in Sri Lanka’s history in the Central Province. Further, the area is renowned mainly for its agricultural products, such as spices, tea, rubber, and vegetables. Those (Dosa) is best at city street vendors. Also, there are many places to visit in Matale.

13. Sweet pancake

Sri Lankan coconut pancakes stuffed with sweet coconut, also known as pol pani pancakes as the Sri Lankans would call them or as ‘wellawahum’ by the old Sri Lankans. They are imposing and the most leisurely tea-time snack to consume. About tea time, the bread van or tuk-tuk with all Sri Lankan sweets, snacks and bread would make their way into the little lanes in Sri Lanka. In addition, this mobile bakery van would play the well-known Mozart symphony. 

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Galle in Sri Lanka has important colonial displays, sun-bleached shores, and rivers overflowing with wildlife, all of which make this Down South escape the most visited site for international travellers. You can definitely find the best Sweet pancake.

14. Malu paan ( Fish Bun )

Sri Lankan fish bun, or Malu paan’, is a triangle-shaped fluffy bread filled with curried potato and canned fish combined with Sri Lankan seasonings. In Sri Lanka, eat this as a snack or for breakfast. Sri Lankan people commonly call them ‘short eats”; as the name implies, It’s another famous snacking in Sri Lanka.

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Negombo Town delivers a charming intro to the Sri Lankan seaside energy, an energetic fish market, colonial dignity, and colourful fishing boats. Apart from Attractions, Negombo is the countryside’s most famous for fishing and best for fish Bun.

15. Kibula banis ( crocodile bun )

As the name suggests, ‘Kimbula Banis’ in the Sinhala language means ‘crocodile buns’ or is slightly shaped like the creature itself. Almost everyone in Sri Lanka loves kimbula buns as a breakfast or a late-afternoon snack. So who would say no to a warm kimbula banis with hot Ceylon ( sri Lanka ) tea in a Street merchant? 

Our Suggestion for trying this food:

Sigiriya, also recognised as the Lion’s Rock is a rock citadel and a castle found in the Matale district of Sri Lanka, a World Heritage site. Sigiriya is the best-preserved city centre in Asia. Watching that gigantic Lion rock having Kibula buns and hot tea from the street shop front will surely give you an unforgettable experience. 

Suggested Read:  The Most Attractive Places to Visit in Sri Lanka