Vegetarian food in Sri Lanka: These dishes are totally unmissable
What's the story
Sri Lanka's local cuisine boasts a delicious combination of dishes that suites everyone's palate. For vegetarians, there is a variety of curries, flatbread, rice, noodles, lentils, and pancakes that will keep them hooked to their authentic flavors. So if you are planning a visit to this beautiful country on your next holiday, refer to this list of vegetarian foods that you must savor there.
#1
Kottu roti
This Sri Lankan dish features roti, a curry dish of your choice, and a mix of veggies, typically onions and chilies. All these are chopped together using heavy iron blades and then sauteed over a hot griddle, which gives them a crispy texture. An inexpensive meal for locals, it is a famous fast food offering that you will easily find anywhere in the country.
#2
Gotu kola mallung
This one is for all health freaks or vegans who love to gorge on fresh salads. According to locals, it is a super green salad that is loaded with vitamins and offers health benefits to skin, hair, eyes, and the gut. It comprises the leaves of the gotu kola plant, along with onions, green chilies, coconut, and lime juice.
#3
Vegetarian watalappan
Craving something sweet? This dessert will satiate your sweet tooth. Called watalappan, it is a coconut, condensed milk-based custard that is spiced with cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It also features kitul jaggery, a special natural sweetener from Sri Lanka which is derived from kitul palm. Topped with dry fruits like cashews and grated vanilla pods, it is a go-to dessert for locals.
#4
Hoppers
Hoppers are available in both vegetarian and vegan options, which makes them a classic dish in Sri Lanka. Made using rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, these pancake-like dishes feature toppings like honey or curd. You will also find a variant of this offering called string hopper (idiyappa), which is layered with an authentic, juicy coconut chutney/gravy called kiri hodi.