Located in the southeast of India is a small island nation called Sri Lanka, but don’t be fooled by its small size! It is incredibly rich in biodiversity, cultural history, natural resources, precious gemstones, and so much more. Sri Lanka is incredibly rich in many areas, including dishes!

Many people love visiting Sri Lanka simply for the wide array of delicious dishes they have to offer. They’re not just tasty but affordable as well—you can get a full-course meal without breaking the budget at all! So, if you find yourself in Sri Lanka, or are just interested in sampling Sri Lankan cuisine, here are five dishes you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

1. Fish Ambul Thiyal

Did you know that Sri Lanka’s nickname is aptly called ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’? It gets a lot of its natural resources from the sea around them. As such, many of the dishes in Sri Lanka feature seafood as the star of the show such as this sour fish curry that’s uniquely Sri Lankan.

In fish ambul thiyal, large chunks of eye-healthy fish (usually tuna) are sauteed with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices including black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, curry, and more. A small fruit called goraka is also added so the dish has its characteristic sour flavor. When mixed, the fish turns into a dark brown or black.

Fish ambul thiyal is typically served with rice or sometimes roti.

2. Kottu

Kottu (alternatively known as Kottu roti or Kothu roti) is popular street food in Sri Lanka. Its name translates to ‘chop chop’ which refers to the method of preparation—it is chopped roti with chopped eggs, onions, chilis, vegetables, and sometimes meat. What’s awesome about this dish is that it not only is easy to make, but it’s also easy to adapt by adding whatever you want into the dish.

Kottu is gaining traction all over the world, especially in countries with a large Sri Lankan population. We’re very grateful for it as now we get to sample this colorful, yummy dish!

3. Lamprais

Did you know Sri Lanka has a significant Dutch Burgher population? They are an ethnic group of Dutch, Portuguese, and Sri Lankan descent, and it was them that introduced the lamprais to Sri Lanka and the rest of the world! The word lamprais is derived from the Dutch word ‘lomprijst’, meaning a packet or lump of rice.

In lamprais, you’ve got a handful of rice, curries, plantains, meatballs, and other nice goodies wrapped tightly in banana leaves and baked in an oven. Because of its preparation, it’s a dish that can be taken almost anywhere—no lunchbox required!

4. Hoppers

Hoppers are fun little pancakes that are shaped like bowls. They are thick and chewy on the bottom and nice and crispy on top. This unique bowl shape allows you to add a load of different toppings, and it’s become so popular in Sri Lankan cuisine that there are a ton of different variations of it as well. You can get it savory or sweet!

As you can see in the picture below, that hopper has a whole egg cooked in it. Isn’t it such an Instagram-worthy dish?

To eat a hopper, you rip it apart bit by bit and dip the piece you’re holding in some onion sauce or curry.

5. Kiribath

Sri Lanka’s national dish is actually a dessert! Kiribath is a simple yet elegant dish that consists of rice boiled in pregnancy-healthy coconut milk. It’s a staple in many Sri Lankan feasts and celebrations. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or more, you’re bound to find kiribath among the many dishes in Sri Lanka celebrations.

To make kiribath, you have to make sure the rice you’re using is glutinous, like jasmine or basmati rice. They need to enlarge and get mushy the more you boil them in coconut milk so that it’s easy to hold them, shape them, and mold them into fun shapes. Serve the kiribath with a side of sambal or curry to dip in.