Language/Sinhala/Culture/Sinhala-Cuisine
As a Sinhala language teacher, I am delighted to introduce you to Sinhalese cuisine, which is a blend of influences from India, Portugal, and the Dutch East Indies. Food plays an important role in Sri Lankan culture, with a wide range of dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Eating is a communal activity in Sri Lanka, and the preparation and sharing of meals are considered to be social events. In this lesson, we will explore the delicious and diverse cuisine of Sri Lanka, including some of the most popular dishes like rice and curry, hoppers, and kottu roti.
Unique Characteristics of Sinhalese Cuisine
Sinhalese cuisine is known for its strong flavors, spices, and herbs. The use of coconut milk, especially in curries, is a distinctive feature of Sinhalese dishes, giving them a rich and creamy texture. Another key ingredient is rice, which is served with almost every meal.
Sri Lankan cuisine is also known for its heat, and the use of chili peppers in many dishes is a testament to this. However, it is possible to adjust the heat level to your taste by using fewer chilies or adding coconut milk.
In addition to rice and curry, there are many other traditional dishes that are worth trying, such as hoppers, kottu roti, and pittu. Each of these dishes has a unique flavor and texture, and they are often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Traditional Dishes to Try
Rice and Curry
Rice and curry, or "kiri bath" in Sinhalese, is a staple dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. It traditionally consists of steamed rice, with several different curries and side dishes laid out around it. The curries can vary from day-to-day and can include meat or fish, vegetable, and lentil curries.
| Sinhala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| කුරුඳු සමල්ද්රස්තොටි | Kurudu samudrasthoothi | Crab curry |
| පිහිපස කහ පොකොළ | Pihipasa kaha pokol | banana flower curry |
| කොළ පුකුලේ සිනහවෙල් | Kola pukule sinhawal | Snake gourd curry |
| කොළනේ ක්රියාකාරි | Kolane kiriakari | Jackfruit curry |
Hoppers
Hoppers, or "appa" in Sinhalese, are a popular breakfast food in Sri Lanka. They are bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. The batter is poured into a small wok-like pan and cooked until crispy on the edges and soft in the center.
Hoppers can be eaten plain or with a variety of toppings, such as coconut sambal, egg sambal, or lunu miris, a spicy chili and onion relish.
Kottu Roti
Kottu roti is a dish that was created in the streets of Sri Lanka. It consists of shredded roti bread mixed with vegetables, egg, and meat, which are chopped and fried on a griddle. The sound of the kottu being chopped up with metal blades is a familiar sound in Sri Lanka as it is typically cooked at night by street vendors.
It is usually served with a side of curry sauce, which is used as a dip. You can order kottu roti with chicken, beef, or seafood, or as a vegetarian option.
Vocabulary
Here are some words that will help you order food in Sinhalese:
| Sinhala | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| කුඩු | Kudu | Curry |
| බත් | Bath | Rice |
| අම්මාගේ | Amma gena | My mother's |
| සෙල් | Sells | Spicy |
| මිහිත | Mihithale | Mild |
| මාළුව | Maluwa | Gravy |
| සම්බාද්ධ | Sambada | With |
Conclusion
Sinhalese cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary experience, with a variety of interesting and tasty dishes. I hope this lesson has inspired you to try some traditional Sinhalese dishes and appreciate the delicious flavors of Sri Lanka. Remember to ask the locals for recommendations, try new things, and enjoy the communal spirit of dining. As we often say in Sri Lanka, "bon appétit," or "bhandana" in Sinhalese.