Sri Lanka is best known for its rich culture spanning up to hundreds of years, in which its rich, aromatic and flavourful cuisine is based on. Being one of the leading cultivators of spices in the world, spices play an important role in Sri Lankan cuisine. The cuisine is greatly influenced by so many factors including different cultures and countries, yet it has still managed to preserve its originality to its roots.
Sri Lankan food offers a wide variety of flavourful combinations including spicy coconut flakes, caramelised onions with dry fish, sweet and sour fruits in spicy sauces. Rice, being the staple food in Sri Lanka, is an ever present ingredient in these complex flavours.
Sri Lankan street food in short is a plethora of richness. It varies from “Isso Vade” or shrimp cake topped with a spicy sauce and chopped onions purchased from a vendor in a cart who is usually followed by a ringing bell through a tiny window, to glazed hot BBQ chicken handed by the uncle at a corner food shop while being seated in a bench by the street.
As you pass through the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka into Hulftsdorp Street, you reach ‘Aluth kade’ or ‘Pudhu kade’, a suburb in Colombo, which is the ultimate culinary destination. As you move along Meeraniya street to your left, you’ll find ‘Biriyani Hut’, where you will be welcomed by a BBQ stand always preparing roasted chicken. The star of the show here is the Chicken Biriyani, a savoury rice dish loaded with spicy marinated chicken and caramelized onions. The affordable lunch at any time of the day meal is guaranteed to fill you up and leave you wanting for more.
Kottu Rotti unquestionably is everyone’s favourite dish when it comes to Sri Lankan cuisine, and it’s hard not to marvel at its perfect balance of flavours. The dish is made from godhamba roti, vegetables, egg, spices and varying meat options if desired. With its creamy textures and diverse seasoning, Kottu Roti represents a novel and truly rewarding experience for your taste buds and will keep you wanting more.
Within the basic setting of Aluth Kade, visitors can sample one of the city’s best kottu roti for a reasonable price, enjoying an eating experience that will surely be remembered. It is impossible to settle for one eatery as a first-rate for Kottu as Aluth Kade itself is the perfect Kottu destination for anyone. You can randomly stroll into any Kothu Kade there and savour an unforgettable kottu that will leave your tastebuds craving for more.
When you move along Meeraniya street into the Oilman junction, you will be hit with the sweet aroma of almond milk, leading to “Osama Cool Spot” or more locally known as Zaman Nana’s, which comes alive in the late evening, where the best Badam Milk is found. You’ll be served with rich yellow almond filled delicacy in a tall glass cup. Every sip is full of Almond pieces and tastes heavenly.
As you move forward, you will find shop after shop of street food perfection lined up, the perfect place for stir-fried rice mixed with vegetables, chicken and eggs served with mouthwatering gravy is ‘Cafe 4 you’. String hopper Kottu, which is made with a mix of string hoppers tossed in a large pan with roasted chicken pieces, eggs and onions tempered with curry leaves and mixed with spices. The food being prepared and tossed around in the open flame is a show you would never want to miss. The perfect places to enjoy this dish would be ‘Hotel Masha Allah’ and ‘Super Meat’. As the taste and aroma of each stall is to perfection, we recommend you try both.
Even though, burgers, submaries and loaded buns are widely available at any fast food restaurant across the island, the stalls in Aluth kade redefine these fast-food with their own domestic blend. The right place to find an array of comfort food including chicken submarine loaded with deep-fried crispy chicken, topped with shredded lettuce and zinger burger , served in toasted brioche topped with crispy chicken, lettuce, mayonnaise and other special sauces can be found at Al-Baik. This brings us to an end of the short tour of Aluth kade.
Aluth kade, true to its location and reputation for mouth-watering food never disappoints. Rare and delicious food for only a fraction of the price you would pay at a fancy restaurant is spread out through the area. This place usually livens up after dark around 6.00 p.m. and goes on until late at night. The service is fast and friendly and almost anyone you meet on the street would treat you like family. This is a definite must visit.
Written by
Rtr. Rajagobal Shanmugam (Ashwin)
Member
