After a morning safari, nothing beats a proper Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. In the villages around Udawalawe, many families cook the same way their grandparents did: over wood fires, in clay pots.
What to expect
A typical spread includes red or white rice with several curries: dhal, a vegetable curry or two, a mallung of chopped greens with coconut, papadum and a sambol. Fish or chicken are often available on request.
Finding a home kitchen
Ask your guesthouse or safari driver. Many know families who cook for visitors, and a day’s notice usually helps. Expect simple surroundings and generous portions.
How to eat it
Sri Lankans traditionally eat with the right hand, mixing a little of each curry into the rice. Nobody will mind if you ask for a spoon, but it is worth trying it the local way at least once.
