Four edible adventures in Colombo
Go on a gourmet gallop in Sri Lanka’s capital
Colombo’s Street Food: Pepper
How athletic is your appetite? You’ll soon find out on this brilliant nocturnal street food tour run by Pepper, which takes you on a culinary journey through the streets of Colombo. Begin by sipping arrack in an unlikely mystery venue, just to wet your whistle, before embarking on a delicious adventure ticking off Sri Lankan treats both familiar – hoppers and curries – to unfamiliar: congee porridge and traditional Muslim dishes, for example. The tour is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals while you treat your taste buds and see different sides of the city; your local host and guide, Arshad, is abrim with local knowledge and tips. Come hungry, come thirsty, come curious. (Bonus points for skipping lunch.)
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Colombo Food experience: Culinary Ceylon
Culture and cuisine are combined to tasty effect at this high-end interactive dining event courtesy of Culinary Ceylon, which stars a seven- or eight-course tasting menu (with manageable portions, don’t panic) and a brilliant host and curator. The host helpfully brings each dish to life as it arrives, explaining how it’s made and how it’s eaten, as well as detailing its history and cultural influences. (Expect an added side of theatrics, just to keep you on your toes.) The experience aims to whoosh you away on a time tour of Sri Lanka, mouthful by mouthful. This gourmet extravaganza can be arranged via the friendly Sri Lanka experts at Experience Travel Group, who specialise in tailor-making authentic adventures and activities.
The-Other-Side-of-Colombo Food Tour: Ayu in the Wild
Discover what the locals eat on the backstreets of Colombo’s busy old quarters in this combined food tour and unique city walk, organised by the proudly Sri Lankan experts in immersive luxury, Ayu in the Wild. Bring your sense of humour as you rub shoulders with tuk-tuks and street vendors and gape at big trucks on narrow roads as they jostle their way between tiny shops full of colour. You’ll see a side of the city you’d never be privy to without the help of a local – take note: it’s not for the faint-hearted! Tick off six tastings in the space of two or three hours, fitting in a trip to Colombo’s largest vegetable and fruit market. The experience is part of Ayu in the Wild’s tempting 12-day Gourmet in the Wild adventure; this brilliant, owner-run tour operator specialises in tailor-making longer trips.
Jaffna Dinner in Colombo: Pepper
Jaffna’s cuisine is very different to the rest of the island – the local crab is a succulent highlight and dishes are often described as less ‘spicy’, for starters – but you might not have time to factor in a visit to the north. If that’s the case, fear not: Pepper has handily organised an experience with your name on it. Head to the gorgeous Maniumpathy hotel for a Jaffna-style dinner at the hotel’s relaxed al fresco Nandi Restaurant, accompanied by Pepper’s expert local host, Arshad. He will talk you through each of the various dishes and explain the cultural context behind what you’re eating. The Jaffna menu changes, but previous crowd-pleasers have included crab curry (natch), mutton, mango sambol and sweet sago pudding.
By Sarah Jappy
EXPERIENCE SRI LANKA
in association with
