Sri Lanka đ±đ° Found the Cheapest, Tastiest Chinese Food!!
1. Sri Lanka isnât the first place that comes to mind for Chinese food, but hidden in a Colombo side street, I stumbled upon a tiny eatery serving the cheapest, most flavorful dishes Iâve tasted in ages. âDragon Delightâ is a no-frills spot with plastic tables, a flickering neon sign, and a menu that reads like a love letter to Sichuan and Cantonese classicsâall at prices that make your wallet sing. This isnât just good Chinese food; itâs a budget-friendly revelation. đđ°đź 2. The owner, Mr. Li, moved to Sri Lanka 15 years ago, bringing his grandmotherâs recipes and a wok thatâs seen more action than a Colombo market. His signature? Sichuan mapo tofu âsilky cubes swimming in a fiery sauce, spiked with Sichuan peppercorns that tingle your lips, and a secret dash of local chili flakes for extra kick. At just 300 Sri Lankan rupees (less than 1 USD), itâs a steal, served with a mountain of steamed rice that soaks up every drop. đ¶ïžđ„ąđ§Ą 3. For something crispy, try the spring rolls . Mr. Liâs wife, Mei, fills thin wrappers with cabbage, carrots, and a hint of ginger, then fries them until golden and shatteringly crisp. Served with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce (made with local pineapple!), theyâre 250 rupees for sixâenough to share (but you wonât want to). I watched a group of office workers polish off three plates in 10 minutes, grinning through each crunchy bite. đ„đđ 4. Seafood lovers, donât miss the garlic prawns . Plump tiger prawns are stir-fried with minced garlic, green onions, and a splash of soy sauce, their shells crackling with flavor. At 600 rupees, itâs pricier than other dishes but still cheaper than half the seafood stalls in townâand the portion? Enough to satisfy two hungry travelers. I mopped the plate clean with extra rice, no shame involved. đŠđ§đ 5. Vegetarians, rejoice over the kung pao cauliflower . Battered florets are fried until crispy, then tossed in a glossy sauce with peanuts, dried chilies, and bell peppersâspicy, nutty, and so addictive, youâll forget itâs meatless. At 280 rupees, itâs proof that veggies can steal the show. Mei even offered me a taste of her homemade *lychee drink* (free!) to cool the heatâsweet, fragrant, and the perfect pairing. đ„Šđ„đč 6. What makes this place magic? Itâs the mix of authenticity and local flair. Mr. Li sources soy sauce from a Chinese import store but uses Sri Lankan garlic (stronger, he swears) and curry leaves in his stir-fries. The walls are lined with photos: his daughterâs graduation, a visit from a Chinese diplomat, regulars posing with their favorite dishes. It feels less like a restaurant, more like a friendâs kitchen. đšđ©đ§đžâ€ïž 7. By the time I left, my stomach was full, my wallet still had cash, and Mr. Li pressed a free fortune cookie into my hand. âYouâll return soon,â it read. He wasnât wrong. In a country full of incredible local food, this tiny Chinese spot has earned a permanent spot on my Sri Lanka must-visit list. If youâre in Colombo, do yourself a favorâfollow your nose (and the scent of wok-fried goodness) to Dragon Delight. You wonât regret it. đđ±đ°đŽ #ChineseFoodLovers #ColomboEats #SriLankaFind