Sri Lankan Restaurants in Singapore

Sri Lankan restaurants in Singapore: what to know

Sri Lanka is an island nation off the southern tip of India. Its cooking shares some roots with South Indian food, but it has a style of its own. Sri Lankan restaurants in Singapore are still few in number, so each one is worth knowing about. Expect bold spices, plenty of coconut and a good amount of chilli heat. Sri Lankan curry powder is often roasted, which gives curries a darker, smoky taste.

What to order at a Sri Lankan restaurant

Hoppers and string hoppers

Hoppers, also called appa, are bowl-shaped pancakes. They are made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk. The edges are thin and crisp, and the centre is soft. An egg hopper has an egg cooked in the middle. String hoppers are small nests of steamed rice noodles, eaten with curry.

Kottu roti

Kottu is a well-loved street food. Flatbread is chopped on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg and often meat or seafood. Cooks chop it with two metal blades, so you often hear kottu before you see it. The bread is a lot like the flaky flatbread on our Prata page.

Rice and curry

This is the everyday meal in Sri Lanka. A plate of rice comes with several small curries. These might include dhal (lentils), vegetables, and fish or meat. Sambols, which are fresh relishes, add sharpness. Pol sambol is made from grated coconut, chilli, onion and lime.

Other dishes to look for

• Crab curry: crab cooked in a thick, spicy sauce. Expect to eat with your hands.
• Black pork curry: pork cooked with dark roasted spices.
• Lamprais: rice, curries and sambol wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.
• Watalappam: a steamed custard made with coconut milk and jaggery, a dark palm sugar.

Where to eat Sri Lankan food in Singapore

Kotuwa is a Sri Lankan restaurant in the Orchard and River Valley area. It is a good first stop for Sri Lankan food in the city. Browse Restaurants in Orchard & River Valley for other meals nearby. You can also pair dinner with a walk along Orchard Road.

Related flavours in Little India

Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking share many ingredients, such as curry leaves, mustard seeds and coconut. For a similar meal, try banana leaf rice in Little India. Our guide Banana Leaf Rice in Little India: How the Meal Works explains how to order and eat it. Komala Vilas and Banana Leaf Apolo are both South Indian restaurants in the area.

Tips for a Sri Lankan meal

• Ask about heat. Sri Lankan curries can be very spicy. Staff can guide you to milder dishes.
• Order to share. Pick a few curries, some hoppers and a sambol for the table.
• Mention allergies. Coconut appears in many dishes, and some use dried fish for flavour.
• Book ahead. Popular places fill up quickly at dinner.
• Check for pork if needed. Some menus include pork. If you need halal food, look for the MUIS halal certificate. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
• Plan your budget. Prices change, so check the menu before you go.
• Finish with tea. Sri Lanka was once called Ceylon, and its black tea is still sold as Ceylon tea.

FAQs about Sri Lankan restaurants in Singapore

How is Sri Lankan food different from Indian food?

They share many spices, but Sri Lankan cooking uses a lot of coconut and often a roasted curry powder. Dishes such as hoppers, kottu and lamprais are typical of Sri Lanka.

What is a hopper?

A hopper is a bowl-shaped pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk. It has crisp edges and a soft centre. An egg hopper has an egg cooked inside.

Is Sri Lankan food spicy?

Many dishes are spicy, but not all. Ask for milder curries, and keep plain rice or a cool drink close by.

Where else can I find similar food in Singapore?

Little India has many South Indian restaurants with related flavours. See Dishes to Try in Little India: A First-Timer's List for ideas.