I went to Sri Lanka and actually gained weight?
A two-week trip to Sri Lanka was not only amazing for surfing, but also a pleasant surprise for the food!đź đ Itâs not exactly exquisite, but it wins with a rich variety and surprisingly low prices. Unlike trips to Central America where youâre forced to diet, here I really couldnât control my appetite. ăLocal dishes: Tailor-made for Chinese taste budsăđ± Sri Lankan local dishes are quite similar to Chinese home-cooked meals. The most common and delicious one is rice and curry: rice with meat, chickpeas, and several vegetables (okra, pumpkin, zucchini, etc.), drizzled with curry sauce. Itâs lighter and easier to digest than Indian curry. đ Itâs recommended to try this dish at family restaurants, as each has its own unique combination and flavor.đđ Other common dishes in small eateries include kottu (similar to stir-fried dumplings), fried noodle (much like stir-fried rice noodles), and fried rice (exactly like Chinese fried rice).đđ đđ I also loved the local braised chicken and eggplant. Almost the only meat in local dishes is chickenâlocals are quite poor, and meat is expensive, so the portions of meat are very small. Fishđ and shrimp are local seafood, so their portions are slightly larger. ăStreet snacks: Satisfaction for just a few yuan per personăâïž đŒRoti: A pancake made from wheat flour mixed with shredded coconut and coconut milk, wrapped with fillings and folded into a triangle. It has a strong flour aroma and chewy texture. Common fillings are chicken, fish, or vegetables. đ„Ź My personal favorite is vegetable rotiâmashed potatoes mixed with scallions and spices, salty and flavorful! However, ask if itâs spicy beforehand, otherwise it might be so hot that youâll question life.đ Roll has similar fillings to roti, but the difference is that itâs wrapped in something like breadcrumbs, shaped like a large spring roll, and deep-fried until golden. đ„ One bite offers a crispy, soft, and fragrant tasteâitâs so satisfying.đ„ ăSeafood: You canât go wrong with any orderă Whether in Colombo or the southern coast, fish, shrimp, crabs, and lobsters are easy to find, and the prices are much more friendly compared to Europe. đđ đMost importantly, theyâre fresh. Itâs advisable to ask about the cooking method in advanceâlocals prefer strong flavors, while Western-style restaurants serve lighter, original tastes.đł ăSeaview restaurants: Western-style meals are so chill!ăđ„ïž Beautiful Western-style meals are everywhere, especially on the southern coast. đ» đŁThere are plenty of options for my favorite light meals and breakfast: yogurt bowls, fruit platters, omelets, avocado sandwiches, vegetable salads, vegan meals... Perfect for having brunch by the sea, while watching the ocean and soaking up the sun. ăDrinks: A wide range of hot and cold optionsă Thereâs a full range of coffee, black tea, and herbal tea. Local coffee is rather coarse, so itâs better to go to shops with large coffee machines for European-style versions.đŠđŠ Fruit juice, lassi, and smoothie: Made with fresh fruitsâmango and papaya flavors are never a miss! If you donât like sweet drinks, remember to tell the waiter not to add sugar in advance. Coconut water is a must for tropical tripsâonly 5-8 yuan!đïžđïž With delicious and filling food, Sri Lanka has made it to my list of cost-effective travel destinations. Do you have any recommendations?đĄđĄ Leave a comment and Iâll check them out next time~đ #ExperienceForeignFoodTogether #AuthenticFoodInTravel #ExoticCuisine #HiddenGemTravelDestinations #LesserKnownTravelSpots #SriLankaTourism #SriLankaTravel #Surfing