Everything that I had heard about food in South Asia held true – diversity, deliciousness, abundance, and health. This was exactly what I was expecting when I traveled to Sri Lanka. After getting a coach in Jaela, I took a bus to Colombo Market, the best place to get in touch with the variety of food available in town.

The first impression was amazing – so many colors, such a variety of vegetables and fruits. I looked around and didn’t see too many places to eat. I started to walk and look for something different, but unfortunately, the first bar restaurant I found only served fast food – mostly fried items that I needed to avoid.

Disappointed, I decided to move on to the next restaurant and then the next, but none of them had anything different – fast food everywhere, with some places offering only juices or extreme sweeted ice cream, shakes with fruits.

It made me think about how we have deviated from the path of nature and how we allow this kind of development to happen, resulting in people regretting the choices we make.

Finally, after walking inside another market, I found another restaurant, two side by side. I chose one of them to eat, and it was the best food option I had during my stay in Colombo. They served a mix of everything on a colorful plate. It was a simple and cheap place for the workers there.

As I moved to different regions of Sri Lanka, I noticed that street food was not always nice, especially in popular areas. Touristic places always had nice options, but that was not what I was looking for. I preferred to see how the majority of people lived, their habits, food, and daily life. That’s why I chose popular places to get my meals.

Curry is a term used to describe a variety of dishes that originated in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It typically involves a sauce or gravy that is made with a mixture of spices, herbs, and often coconut milk or yogurt. The sauce is usually served over a base of rice or other grains, along with meat, fish, or vegetables.

Fish curry, as the name suggests, is a type of curry made with fish as the main ingredient. In Sri Lanka, fish curry is a popular dish that is often made with a variety of local fish, such as tuna, mullet, or mackerel. The curry sauce is typically made with a blend of spices, including turmeric, coriander, cumin, and fennel seeds, as well as onion, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves. The sauce may also include coconut milk or tamarind to add flavor and acidity. Fish curry is usually served with rice or flatbreads, such as roti or naan.

It is possible to order a fish curry without the fish in some restaurants, but it may depend on the establishment and their menu options. Definitely an option for vegetarians or for those who prefer not to eat fish or any meat. In Sri Lanka, it is common for restaurants and street food vendors to offer vegetarian options, but it can sometimes be limited depending on the location and availability of ingredients.

Most Sri Lankan curries are made with a variety of vegetables and spices, making them a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option. So, even if you choose to omit the fish, you can still enjoy the rich flavors and aromas of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Jaffna – Nord Sri Lanka – Food on the Banana Leafs like in South India.