Rice N' Spice — Restaurant in Anaheim

4.7/5 ### Rice N' Spice: A Burst of Sri Lankan Magic in Anaheim

Hidden away on Euclid Street in Anaheim, just minutes from Disneyland, Rice N' Spice stands as Orange County's sole beacon of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine—a cozy, unpretentious spot that's been delighting adventurous eaters since its opening. The vibe is welcoming and lived-in, with colorful murals evoking tropical Colombo vibes, a handful of tables for dine-in, and a focus on takeout that makes it ideal for picnics or post-park feasts. Open most days from noon until evening (with a couple of midweek closures), it's the kind of place where the aroma of curry leaves and banana leaves wafts out the door, pulling you in like a siren's call. Prices are refreshingly fair—entrees hover around $10-16—and the menu's emphasis on fresh, spice-forward dishes ensures every visit feels like a mini-vacation to the Indian Ocean island.

But let's talk about what truly steals the show: the lamprais, a masterful bundle of flavors that's become my obsession. At $15 for the chicken version, it's essentially a portable feast wrapped in a steamed banana leaf, infusing everything with an earthy, subtle smokiness. Unfurl it to reveal tender, fall-apart chicken simmered in a fragrant coconut curry, vibrant yellow rice cooked in broth for that perfect fluffy-yet-sticky texture, a creamy hard-boiled egg, tangy eggplant curry, sweet-and-sour pineapple curry that cuts through the richness, and crispy fried shrimp sambol for a salty, textural pop. Each component is meticulously balanced—bold spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom mingle without overwhelming, while the sweetness from the pineapple adds a tropical lift that dances on your palate. It's not just tasty; it's a symphony of contrasts: creamy against crunchy, savory against sweet, all in one handheld package. I've tried the beef variation too, where the meat's deeper savoriness amps up the umami, but the chicken's lighter profile keeps it endlessly craveable. Pro tip: Heat it at home for that fresh-off-the-grill warmth; it freezes beautifully for impromptu dinners.

Beyond the lamprais, the menu tempts with hoppers (those lacy, bowl-shaped rice flour crepes) perfect for scooping up fiery sambal, or kottu roti for a stir-fried noodle-like thrill. Desserts like watalappan, a jaggery-coconut custard, provide a silky finish, and the Sri Lankan iced coffee is a spiced revelation. Service is warm and knowledgeable—staff like head chef Sandya share sourcing stories with genuine pride, making you feel like family. With a 4.6/5 on Restaurant Guru from hundreds of raves, it's no wonder this gem has loyalists driving from all over SoCal. If you're tired of the usual Thai or Indian spots and yearning for something uniquely soul-warming, Rice N' Spice's lamprais will transport you straight to Sri Lanka. It's more than a meal; it's pure, unadulterated joy on a leaf. Can't wait for my...

• DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE**Im very big in supporting small businesses. I have been supporting this restaurant as regular retuning customer specially because of my cravings for authentic Sri Lankan food. However this time 07/03- 07/04 & 07/5 my experience was sadly very bad. I come all the way from Arizona yo cali and when I do every year eating here with my family is always in the list. I always spend more than $100 and tip min 20% not for any reason to support culture and nationality to proudly tell that a Sri Lanka restaurant exist in another country. I work for a leading shipping company that I recommended many people I know and ask them to try food from here. Quality and quantity has gone down. I was ok with it with current inflation and post pandemic. But today 07/05 I called to order food because I had spoken earlier requesting to make a special order. When I called charity they person I spoke to is simply impolite and rude. He just kept saying we only serve rice and curry. I was confuse as to what sort of business etiquette they are maintaining. I asked for the manager then he got me the owner Sandya and she explained to me that she was busy … etc etc however my special order was not available. These kind of experience actually reminds you that there is a good reason not to support these type business. I’m a native Sri Lanka but I would never give my business or recommend to anyone I know. I hope all though they loose my business that they will take this as a constructive criticism and improve quality and standard and send charity to a etiquette school to improve code of conduct to better server customers when on the...

I found that this Sri Lankan restaurant have the most delicious vegan options. This is my kind of food, people! There is no meat substitute used like in other vegan restaurants or non-vegan restaurants with vegan options. They use all kind of vegetables, fruits, or nuts like green beans, beetroot, jackfruit, pumpkin, bread fruit, eggplants, mango, cashews etc. to lotus roots. They are very creative to make each vegetable to be a curry or sambol and yet each dish tastes different than the other. Also on the plus side, they are all gluten free(at least those what I have eaten).

I like it so much that I hired them to cater for my birthday party. I received the best catered party with top quality service. I didn't expect it came with table decorations and a birthday greeting to me. What an awesome idea! It went BEYOND my expectations. My vegan friends were so impressed with the taste and quality of the food.

If you go to their restaurant you will find that they have 6 - 7 different choices to have with savory rice each day. The person who help you usually knows which items are vegan. I usually have the Lunch Packet plate with rice and 5 different curries. Each day they will change menu and different kind of vegan options are available. So I really never have the exact same plate twice. They usually put papadam with each Lunch Packet. Their Hopper is also vegan if you order...