Food · Sri Lanka
Eating Vegan in Sri Lanka: Easier Than You Think
By Days of Iru and Opa
Vegans do well in Sri Lanka. So much everyday cooking is built on coconut milk, vegetables and lentils that a satisfying plant-based meal is rarely more than a small eatery away.
Naturally plant-based
A vegetable rice and curry is often vegan by default: dhal, jackfruit curry, gotukola sambol, beetroot, pumpkin and more, all cooked in coconut milk rather than dairy.
What to watch
Some dishes use dried fish (maldive fish) or ghee for flavour. A quick "no fish, no egg, no dairy" check helps, and most cooks are happy to adjust.
Handy dishes
String hoppers with dhal, plain hoppers, kottu made with vegetables, and roti all work well. Fresh fruit and king coconut water fill any gaps between meals.
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