Rice is the staple food of the Sri Lankans and almost every household in the country takes rice and curry as its main meal. Usually, a meal is comprised of rice with 3 to 4 curries including vegetables, lentils, green leaves, and fish or meat options. Sri Lankan cuisine considers one of the healthiest ways of eating in the world. Rather than plain rice, savory rice dishes are the favorite food item on special occasions in Sri Lanka.
On Sri Lankan banquets and buffets, different kinds of rice dishes are prepared to add festivity to the meal. The way of cooking rice changes and add different herbs to give a better taste, aroma, and appearance. These savory rice dishes become the star of the meal, preferred by everyone. Here we have listed both plain rice and savory rice dishes available in the country and don’t forget to taste them while touring in Sri Lanka.
1. White Rice
White rice is a common name for several varieties of rice. Basmati and Samba are the most preferred kinds, as well as white raw rice and Nadu rice included in this category. Having a hearty plate of white rice with several curries is the most common food you’ll find anywhere in the country. Normally the plate of rice contains a few vegetable curries and a choice of fish curry or meat curry and crispy papadam as well.
2. Red Rice
Red rice is the preferred choice over white rice in some parts of Sri Lanka. The nutritional film which encloses the grains is remaining to make it a healthy option than their polished white cousin. Red rice has emerged as having a potential for cholesterol control and increasingly replaces the white polished white rice. It is slightly less in flavor than white rice, but it becomes tasty after combining with some spicy curries.
3. Milk Rice
Milk rice or Kiribath is a traditional Sri Lankan dish and a popular festive dish for any auspicious moment. It prepares on special occasions such as Sinhala & Tamil New Year and serves along with sweets. The rice cooks with thick coconut milk and the required amount of salt. After cooking rice until the grains turn soft and porridge-like, coconut milk adds and then cut into diamond shape pieces.
Milk rice makes a nice combination with Chili paste or Lunu Miris, a relish made with red onions and chilies. Tasting a piece of milk rice with chili paste in a banana leaf is a nice experience authentic to Sri Lanka. Usually, Sri Lankans eat Milk rice in the morning and it is available on the breakfast menu in Sri Lankan restaurants. It is very delicious with milky taste, even babies or toddlers can enjoy it.
4. Yellow Rice
Yellow rice is a fragrant, savory yellowish rice dish preferred by both kids and adults. Turmeric powder and spices add to make the rice colored and flavored. Several types of spices including cardamom, cloves, cinnamon give a nice aroma to saffron rice. Yellow Rice cooks with butter and onion makes a wonderfully fragrant dish, suitable for any special occasion.
5. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a common dish in the lunch and dinner menu of Sri Lankan restaurants. Anybody who doesn’t like to eat rice and curries can have the option of enjoying Fried Rice. It prepares by tempering boiled rice with fried eggs and vegetables including, carrots, beans, and leeks. This is a nutritious and wholesome food, even kids can enjoy it. Fried Rice serves along with chili paste and adults can enjoy the rice with a spicy taste.
6. Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken fried rice is also a common dish in the lunch and dinner menus. It prepares by adding pieces of fried chicken into fried rice with vegetables. Fried chicken adds as small pieces or as one piece of fried chicken thigh. This is more nutritious and wholesome food, preferred by both kids and adults. Chicken fried rice gives the best taste along with spicy chili Paste. If you love beef, mutton, or pork over chicken, you can order the fried rice with your preferred choice.
7. Seafood Rice
The seafood rice is prepared by adding fried prawns, cuttlefish, and pieces of fish into fried rice. This is one of the best savory rice dishes to taste in Sri Lanka. Since there is a lot of fresh seafood available in the country, seafood rice is one of the major dishes available in beachside restaurants. It gives an excellent taste and aroma, definitely a delight among the other savory rice dishes.
8. Biryani Rice
Chicken Biryani is a delicious rice dish made with boiled basmati rice, spicy chicken thighs, caramelized onions, curd, and a lot of spices to make flavorful rice. Certainly, this one-pot dish is rich in the most detectable flavors and aroma. Chicken and rice are cooked separately before being layered and cooked together. Spices and herbs along with saffron add to give its light yellowish color, flavor, and aroma. This rice dish is the tastier one among the savory rice in Sri Lanka.
Biryani Rice can order with your preferred meat choice including beef, mutton, or pork. It will be a nice savory rice dish, which gives a great taste for meat food lovers.
Here we have shown the best savory rice dishes available in Sri Lankan cuisine. Hope everybody will enjoy these fragrant and tasty rice dishes during your trip to Sri Lanka. Previously, we bought details about the best 10 delicious food and we hope to bring the details about delicious vegan curries, side dishes, snacks, and sweets in future posts. Have a nice meal.!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from migrationology, Knorr Sri Lanka, All Ceylon, and Wikimedia commons. Copyrights reserved by original authors.
