Guest post by Andrea S
Nestled in the heart of cultural and historical richness, Sri Lanka unfolds a tapestry of diverse heritage. Particularly, the South Asian nation boasts exquisite dishes and traditional meals that visitors and residents always find hard to resist. If you’re yearning to savour authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, a trip to the country itself is a must. Ensure a seamless experience by arranging your Sri Lanka visa and planning your journey in advance to snag budget-friendly flights and accommodation. However, if you find yourself in Europe, particularly London, there’s no need to traverse continents. London boasts a myriad of Sri Lankan restaurants where you can indulge in the finest native dishes without leaving the city. Keep reading to discover more about affordable Sri Lankan culinary delights in London.
Affordable Sri Lankan Foods in London
Here are the budget-friendly meals you can get in London.
Puttu
If you’re feeling nostalgic and need to get back some memories of Sri Lankan cuisines, you can start with puttu. The Sri Lankan version is commonly made from wheat flour and can be bought at native restaurants in London. The servings occasionally come with chicken, mutton, or seafood. You can also eat it with potato curry without spending more than nine pounds.
Photo by Saveurs Secretes – Pic taken from Pexels
Kothu roti
This traditional fast food or street food has found its way to London thanks to the Sri Lankan local population in the region. It’s often made by chopping wheat flour into pieces which is how it got its name. The flour pieces are then spiced with fried vegetables and onion. Depending on your preference, the dish is finalised by adding chicken, seafood, or mutton. You can get freshly prepared and hot ones for as low as seven pounds. Karapincha has several locations in London and their Kothu Roti is one of their signature dishes.
Hoppers
Whether plain or stringed, hoppers or appam are one of the most popular dishes in Sri Lankan culture. The plain variety is made from rice flour and coconut milk. When prepared, the plain hopper resembles a pancake-shaped bowl. Budget-friendly servings common in London include plain hopper with katta or red sambol. The string hopper, which is noodle-like, can be bought for as low as five pounds especially when it’s served with sothy. Try Hoppers Soho where you can eat a hopper under 6 pounds.
Biryani
Biryani is a common dish among natives of South Asia and is not specific to Sri Lanka. However, if you’ve tasted the Sri Lankan version of veg, chicken, mutton, or prawn biryani, you’d notice some differences in preparation. The Biryani Guys offer these different biryani servings for under 10 pounds. They have several branches through London that are worth trying.
Photo by Saveurs Secretes – Pic taken from Pexels
Rice
Rice is also a common Sri Lankan dish and is one of the most affordable meals you can get in London, especially if it’s plain rice. Other varieties you can get include pilau, coconut, mushroom, chicken fried, and mutton fried rice.
Final Words
To sum it up, checking out the tasty and affordable Sri Lankan food in London is like taking a yummy journey through South Asian flavours. There’s a lot to enjoy, from the familiar taste of puttu to the delicious kothu roti and the special hoppers. Each dish tells a story about Sri Lanka’s yummy food. You can also try different types of biryani and rice dishes without spending too much. Whether you just want a quick bite or you’re up for a food adventure, these budget-friendly Sri Lankan treats let you experience the warmth and tradition of the island in the busy streets of London. So, go ahead, enjoy these delicious foods without spending too much, and let the flavours of Sri Lanka take you to a world of tasty memories right in the heart of the city.
