If you are a seafood fan like me and if you’re planning to visit Sri Lanka, You don’t want to go somewhere else, you must visit Negombo. It’s basically a foodie’s paradise, especially if you like seafood; yeah, they hold a specialty in that. Whether you’re a seafood fan or craving some authentic Sri Lankan street food, this town has something delicious waiting around every corner. From fresh and juicy crab curry to spicy kottu roti, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering dishes here. As a huge seafood person myself, it’s my duty to tell you that you must try dishes in Negombo and where to find them. So, let’s begin with something simple.
Kottu Rotti
Kottu Rotti is one of those dishes you can’t forget after trying it. It’s a Sri Lankan favorite that starts with chopped-up pieces of roti, a flatbread type. But the magic happens when it’s mixed with a curry of your choice—whether you’re a fan of beef, mutton, seafood, or chicken—along with scrambled eggs, onions, and a good amount of spicy chilies. The Kottu chopping beat adds some magic, too. You can definitely dance to that music if you are listening to it. Trust me, it happens a lot.
You can find it everywhere, from street food stalls to the Best restaurants in Negombo. Not only in Negombo but everywhere else in Sri Lanka, you can find Kottu whenever and however you need it.
You know, what makes Kottu even more interesting is how great it is as an anti-hangover meal. I can assure you it will do miracles to cure hangovers.
So where in Negombo can you find this fantastic dish? Just like I said, it’s everywhere, but here are my favorite places in Negombo to have an awesome Kottu dish.
And hey, after tasting Kottu in Negombo, if you feel like you want to make it home, that’s possible and easy too; that’s what makes Kottu so freaking special all over the world. There are plenty of tips and substitutes you can use to adapt the recipe – whether you want to swap the chicken for another protein or adjust the spices to your taste. You can add your own things and make it special. As Sri Lankans, we 100% give you permission to do so.
Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
So rice & curry is Sri Lanka’s’ national dish, and most of us eat rice for three meals per day. Just like Kottu, the cuisine of rice and curry, you can find everywhere in Sri Lanka, but if you are in Negombo or planning to visit, you can get the best seafood curries in Negombo with rice. And please, if you visit Sri Lanka, you must try this dish.
At its core, you have a serving of steaming, fluffy rice, typically made from samba or Kakulu varieties like Sudu Kakulu, Rathu Kakulu, Keeri Samba, etc. While the dish often includes at least three different curries, the ideal serving would have five. Among these, you’ll usually find one curry made with fish or meat, while the rest are vegetarian, featuring a variety of vegetables.
Alongside the curries, the meal is complemented by traditional sides like Sambol. Another common side is gravy or honda, which is a rich blend of spices and coconut milk. You can’t go wrong with a good Dhal Curry.
You might also enjoy Mallum, which is made from finely chopped leafy greens mixed with coconut. This provides a different texture and freshness to the dish. To top it all off, crispy treats like papadam are often served on the side, giving you a delightful crunch with every bite.
So where in Negombo can you find rice & curry? Well, just step outside, and you’ll find ten restaurants that serve rice & curry, but if you ask me, I’d personally go to TukTuk Wine & Dine. They served me the best rice with freaking amazing curries, plus they have a dish called Seahorse Special Chopsuey Rice, which is a kind of rice dish that you never want to miss out on. But there are a few other places that I love to have that dish, and I can proudly recommend as a Sri Lankan you to visit and get the Sri Lankan rich flavored rice & curry.
Roast Paan
Roast Paan, or “Thati Paan” as it’s called in Sinhalese, is a tasty bread from Sri Lanka. It’s flat, extra crispy, and has a crust that gives each bite a delightful crunch. Locals love it. If you can find a TukTuk (Locals call them Chuun Paan) that sells bakery goods in the early morning, you might be able to get it hot.
You’ll find roast paan served alongside curries, Pol Sambol, and so many side dishes.
But for me I’d love to have warm Roast Paan with salted butter. It’s heavenly. If you have tea, you can soak a long piece of bread in it and enjoy it.
Roast Paan is made from fermented bread dough and has a unique texture and taste. If you’re interested in making it yourself, don’t worry if you have an oven; you can bake your own Roast Paan at home. Plenty of Roast Paan recipes are available online.
Whenever I travel to Negombo, there’s one place that I definitely visit. It’s TukTuk Negombo because of their special Roast Paan with Lagoon Crab dish. Here are my favorite places where you can enjoy Roast Paan with a great curry.
- TukTuk Wine & Dine
- Roast Paan Family Meal by yalu yalu (Not a dining, but you can order online)
- Mr.Crab
Seafood
This one is a no-brainer if you visit Negombo. A previous article talked about the fish culture in Negombo. Fishing in Negombo is not just a job for these people. It’s a culture, and it is a way of life. Like the Avatar movie “The Way of Water.” The fishing traditions in Negombo run deep, with boats starting their day as early as 4 AM.
Local fishermen return to shore with fresh catches from the lagoon, including shrimp, crabs, and lobsters, while they haul in tuna and mackerel from the Indian Ocean waters. Finding seafood in Negombo is way easier than finding Roast Paan in Negombo.
Where can you find a good seafood place in Negombo?
All of the places I recommended are based on my experience, and I believe I have good taste. Hey, if you visit any of these places, let us know about your experience in the comments! And when you visit, don’t forget to mention us. You can also check out our Top Negombo Restaurants article.
Chanuka Nadun Perera
