One common question we encounter here at Fernando Travels, is what kind of food tourists can expect on their holiday in Sri Lanka. That’s precisely why we thought we’d address this in our blog, focusing more on budget travellers looking to cut costs. When it comes to gastronomic experiences on your holiday, there’s literally nothing more you can look forward to. With the abundance of both high-end cuisine and more wallet-friendly street food, meals that suit a variety of preferences, appetites, and budgets are easy to find. Our blog this week takes a look at the best meals under $5 in Sri Lanka. Prepare to be amazed!  

Egg Rotti and Chicken Curry

Regardless of who you are or what you do, in Sri Lanka, egg roti and chicken curry is comfort food loved by all. This meal comprises a roti with a full cooked egg in the middle of its soft folds, accompanied by a spicy chicken curry. The spice and flavour of the chicken, when mixed with a hot chewy roti, is a gastronomic experience you can’t miss on your holiday in Sri Lanka. One factor that makes this dish a popular choice for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner, is the fact that it’s easily available just about anywhere you go. If you’re keen to try it out, simply ask to be directed to the nearest Pilawoos (pronounced pi-louse). Make sure your food is served fresh and hot for maximum effect!  

Cheese Kottu

If you’re a bona fide foodie, having a cheese kottu will be the highlight of your holiday in Sri Lanka. Apart from copious quantities of cheese, this dish comprises cut up godhamba roti tossed with sliced vegetables and your meat of choice. Sounds dubious? It’s not. A meal popularly ordered by groups of partygoers on their way home after wild weekend nights, this dish is the most indulgent kind of street food you can have. As above, cheese kottu can be found in just about any pilawoos and other types of popular, road-side food establishments.  

Rice and curry

Rice and curry is so popular in Sri Lanka, many folks often have it for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. On the same day. If you’re keen to find out what all this fuss is about, find a nice, road-side establishment that sells you a mean looking rice and curry. This dish comprises of steamed rice, a meat curry, and a variety of fresh vegetables prepared in various exciting ways. The meal is usually topped off with light, crispy papadams, which make a wonderfully crunchy accompaniment to your rice. For a bona fide Sri Lankan experience, skip the utensils and use your fingers to demolish your rice and curry meal!  

Isso Wade

If you’re a seafood fan looking for a little crunch in your next meal, isso wadés are a must-have on your holiday in Sri Lanka. Here, a deep-fried wadé made of lentils is topped off with rows of crispy shrimps. Usually consumed as a snack, for $5, these delights can be bought by the handful, and consumed as a light meal. Most easily found in Galle Face Green, a public park bordering the Indian Ocean, isso wadés can also be purchased from random roadside vendors at various locations throughout Colombo.  

String hopper biriyani

For fans of biriyani, this string hopper-based dish represents a delicious dinner for everyday Sri Lankans. String hoppers are basically soft noodle pancakes made of flour. Usually consumed in the 20s and 30s, string hopper biriyani refers to a mix of cut up string hoppers, a flavoursome chunk of roast chicken, and egg. In order to appreciate its true appeal, this dish should not only be eaten hot, but when you’re truly ravenous for a hearty meal - after a day of sightseeing, for instance.  

Interested in discovering other budget-friendly meals during your holiday in Sri Lanka?

At Fernando Travels our aim is to give you a holiday worth remembering. Contact us today for unparalleled support and assistance in planning your holiday in Sri Lanka!