Rice: Rice is the most important staple food in Sri Lanka and is consumed in various forms. It is often cooked with coconut milk and spices to make "kiri bath," a popular breakfast dish.
Curry: Sri Lankan curries are aromatic stews made with various vegetables, fish, or meat. Some popular curries include "dhal curry" made with lentils, "fish curry," "chicken curry," and "vegetable curry."
Roti: Roti is a flatbread made with wheat flour and coconut milk. It is commonly served with curries and can also be stuffed with various fillings like vegetables or meat.
Hoppers: Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk. They are often eaten with egg, vegetables, or sambol, a spicy condiment.
Kottu Roti: Kottu Roti is a popular street food made by chopping up roti, mixing it with vegetables, meat, eggs, and spices on a hot plate. It is typically topped with a fried egg and served with sambol.
String Hoppers: String hoppers are made from rice flour or wheat flour, steamed in small woven baskets. They are usually served with curries or sambol.
Pol Sambol: Pol Sambol is a spicy condiment made with grated coconut, red onions, chili peppers, and lime juice. It is commonly served with rice and curries.
In terms of beverages, Sri Lankans enjoy various drinks:
Tea: Tea is widely consumed in Sri Lanka and is considered the national beverage. Sri Lanka is known for producing high-quality Ceylon tea, which is exported worldwide.
Coffee: Coffee is also popular and often consumed in the form of "milk coffee" or "kopi susu," which is made by mixing strong black coffee with sweetened condensed milk.
Lassi: Lassi is a yogurt-based drink blended with fruits like mango or passion fruit. It is a refreshing beverage enjoyed during hot days.
King Coconut: King Coconut is a type of coconut known for its large size and sweet, flavorful water. It is a popular drink for hydration and is often sold by street vendors.
Arrack: Arrack is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented coconut or rice. It is a traditional Sri Lankan drink and is available in various flavors like coconut, cashew, or treacle.