Top 10 Sri Lankan Dishes You Must Try in Scarborough

Curious about Sri Lankan cuisine? Dive into our guide to the top 10 must-try dishes, from fiery curries to comforting street food. Blessed Kitchen in Scarborough brings authentic Halal Sri Lankan flavours right to your table.

Discovering the Culinary Gems of Sri Lanka: Your Top 10 Must-Try Dishes at Blessed Kitchen

Ah, Sri Lanka! An island nation renowned not just for its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, but also for a culinary heritage that is as rich and diverse as its culture. If you're a food lover in Scarborough, Markham, or anywhere across the Greater Toronto Area, you're in for a treat. At Blessed Kitchen, your family-run authentic Sri Lankan Halal restaurant, we're passionate about bringing these incredible flavours right to your doorstep.

Sri Lankan cuisine is a vibrant tapestry woven with spices, fresh ingredients, and age-old cooking traditions. It's a delightful fusion of indigenous practices with influences from India, the Middle East, and colonial powers, resulting in dishes that are truly unique. And the best part? Every dish we prepare at Blessed Kitchen is not only made with love and traditional recipes but is also certified Halal, ensuring quality and adherence to dietary guidelines for our community.

Ready to embark on a flavour adventure? Here are the top 10 Sri Lankan dishes you absolutely must try, many of which are beloved staples on our menu!

1. Kottu Roti: The Symphony of Sri Lankan Street Food

No list of Sri Lankan food is complete without Kottu Roti. Imagine shredded flatbread (roti) stir-fried on a sizzling hot plate with finely chopped vegetables, eggs, and your choice of meat – chicken, beef, or even plain vegetable. The rhythmic clanging of the metal spatulas as it's prepared is a signature sound of Sri Lankan street food. It's hearty, flavourful, and incredibly satisfying. At Blessed Kitchen, our Chicken Kottu Roti is a crowd favourite, perfect for a quick, delicious meal.

2. Lamprais: The Ultimate Banana Leaf Parcel

A true culinary masterpiece, Lamprais (pronounced 'lum-prays') is a Dutch-Burgher inspired dish that translates to 'lump-rice'. It's a meticulously prepared meal consisting of rice cooked in stock, a special mixed meat curry (often beef, chicken, and lamb), frikkadels (Dutch meatballs), blachan (shrimp paste), and brinjal moju (eggplant pickle), all wrapped and baked in a banana leaf. The banana leaf infuses the entire dish with a unique aroma and flavour. It's a labour of love, and our Lamprais at Blessed Kitchen is an experience you won't forget.

3. Biryani: Aromatic Rice Perfection

While often associated with Indian cuisine, Sri Lankan Biryani has its own distinct character, often featuring unique Sri Lankan spices and cooking methods that give it a lighter, yet equally aromatic, profile. Made with fragrant basmati rice, tender pieces of meat (chicken or mutton), and a blend of exotic spices, our Halal Biryani is a staple for gatherings and celebrations. It's a feast for the senses, and a comforting meal any day of the week.

4. String Hoppers (Indi Appa): Delicate Noodle Nests

For breakfast or dinner, String Hoppers are a delicate and delightful staple. These are steamed rice flour noodles pressed into intricate, airy nests. They're typically served with a mild coconut milk-based curry (like Kiri Hodi) and a spicy sambol, such as Pol Sambol (coconut sambol). They offer a wonderful contrast in texture and flavour, and are a must-try for a truly authentic Sri Lankan experience.

5. Devilled Chicken: Fiery, Sweet, and Tangy

If you love a kick, Devilled Chicken is your dish! This popular Sri Lankan-Chinese fusion dish features succulent pieces of chicken stir-fried with onions, bell peppers, and a fiery, yet balanced, sauce that's sweet, sour, and spicy all at once. It's a fantastic appetizer or a flavourful main course, perfect with plain rice or Kottu Roti. Our Devilled Chicken is legendary among our customers!

6. Fish Ambul Thiyal: A Tangy Fish Curry

Hailing from the southern coast, Fish Ambul Thiyal is a unique dry fish curry known for its distinct sour flavour, derived from goraka (Garcinia cambogia). Made with firm fish, black pepper, and a blend of spices, it's a wonderfully tangy and spicy dish that showcases the island's coastal culinary prowess. It's a testament to Sri Lanka's innovative use of local ingredients.

7. Pol Sambol: The Essential Coconut Relish

No Sri Lankan meal is complete without a side of Pol Sambol. This vibrant, fresh relish is made from shredded coconut, red chillies, onions, lime juice, and often Maldive fish (dried tuna flakes). It adds a burst of flavour, heat, and freshness to almost any dish, from rice and curries to string hoppers and hoppers. It's incredibly versatile and utterly addictive!

8. Hoppers (Appa): Crispy, Bowl-Shaped Pancakes

Another iconic breakfast or dinner item, Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes with crispy edges and a soft, fluffy centre. Made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk batter, they can be enjoyed plain, with an egg cooked inside (Egg Hopper), or with a variety of sweet or savoury accompaniments. Dip them in a curry or sambol for a delightful textural and flavour experience.

9. Parippu (Dhal Curry): The Comforting Lentil Staple

Parippu, or red lentil curry, is the ultimate comfort food and a staple in every Sri Lankan household. Slow-cooked with coconut milk, tempered with spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and onions, it's creamy, mild, and incredibly flavourful. It pairs perfectly with rice, roti, or string hoppers, adding a wholesome and nourishing touch to any meal.

10. Watalappan: The Spiced Coconut Custard

To round off your culinary journey, indulge in Watalappan. This rich and creamy steamed custard is a traditional Sri Lankan dessert, especially popular during festive occasions. Made with coconut milk, jaggery (palm sugar), eggs, and fragrant spices like cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves, it's a sweet, aromatic, and satisfying end to any meal. A true taste of Sri Lankan indulgence!

Experience Authentic Halal Sri Lankan Cuisine in the GTA

At Blessed Kitchen, we are more than just a restaurant; we are a family dedicated to sharing the authentic flavours and culinary traditions of Sri Lanka with our beloved community in Scarborough, Markham, and the wider GTA. Every dish is prepared with the utmost care, using traditional recipes passed down through generations, and always with Halal-certified ingredients.

Whether you're craving the fiery kick of Devilled Chicken, the comforting embrace of a hearty Biryani, or the unique experience of Lamprais, we invite you to explore our menu. We're proud to bring a taste of home to those who miss it, and an exciting new culinary adventure to those eager to discover it.

Ready to Taste Sri Lanka?

For a quick and delicious meal: Order Blessed Kitchen on Uber Eats for convenient delivery right to your door in Scarborough, Markham, and surrounding areas.
Planning an event or gathering? Let us cater your next occasion! From intimate family dinners to large corporate events, our authentic Halal Sri Lankan catering services will make your event unforgettable. Contact Blessed Kitchen today to discuss your catering needs.

Come, be a part of our family, and let us share the blessings of Sri Lankan cuisine with you!

Catering with Blessed Kitchen

Blessed Kitchen is a family-run halal Sri Lankan & Indian kitchen in Scarborough, catering across the GTA from $20 per person (20-guest minimum) — biryani, kottu roti, lamprais and more, delivered fresh. Get a catering quote.

More on this: order fresh chicken biryani in Scarborough any day we are open.

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