Jaffna’s Food Scene: Crab Curry, Dosai and Local Sweets
Jaffna food stands apart from the rest of the island: hotter, tangier and built around seafood, palmyra and a strong South Indian influence. Eating your way around the peninsula is one of the best reasons to come.
What to eat
Jaffna crab curry is the headline dish, rich with roasted spices. Look out for odiyal kool (a thick seafood and palmyra soup), crisp dosai and idli for breakfast, and pittu with fish curry.
Sweet finish
No trip to Jaffna is complete without ice cream from the famous parlours near the centre, a cool, nostalgic end to a spicy meal that locals and visitors queue for.
How to do it
Mix a simple local "hotel" lunch with an evening seafood spread. Portions are generous and prices are low, so graze widely rather than ordering big.
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