10 Best Sri Lankan Cookbooks with Recipes for your Next Curry Feast
Sri Lanka, also known as ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, is an island country located in South Asia. Because Sri Lanka was a hub for foreign traders who frequently brought new food and culture to the country, Sri Lankan cuisine is heavily influenced by Indian, Indonesian, Middle Eastern, and Dutch cuisines making Sri Lankan cookbooks with an incredibly diverse list of recipes!
Roughly 75% of Sri Lankans are Sinhalese, and the traditional Sri Lankan food is their food. However, Sri Lankan cuisine is also influenced by the Tamil and Burgher community on the island. For instance, a majority of Tamilians that live in the northern part of the island use ingredients such as pumpkin, yam, jackfruit seed, hibiscus flower, and hot chili powder to add their own touch to traditional Sri Lankan food.
Colonial influences have also played a major role in shaping Global Sri Lanka cuisine today. A famous Sri Lankan dish called Lamprais was actually introduced by the country’s Burgher population. Lamprais consists of two special curries (a three meat curry and ash plantain with aubergine), sambal, shrimp paste, frikadeller meatballs, and rice boiled in stock, wrapped in banana leaves, and baked in an oven.
There is a strong malay influence that adds a vibrant tone to the cuisine with a burst of fresh and earthy falvours.
Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its combination of spices, herbs, meat, seafood, and fruits. From fiery curries such as the Fish Ambul Thiyal (sour fish curry), Polos (green jackfruit curry), Parippu (Dhal curry), and Kukul Mas Curry (chicken curry), to sweet sambals and sour pickles, Sri Lankan food is laced with powerful flavours that will get your adrenaline pumping. In saying that, Sri Lankan food still manages to be comparatively lighter than its Indian counterparts, whether it be Punjabi or Bengali.
So, if you’re interested in cooking some Sri Lankan delicacies, we’ve made a list of the best Sri Lankan cookbooks that provide an eclectic collection of the best traditional recipes that are native to the island.
| 1. Sarogini’s Sri Lanka Food | Buy on Amazon |
| 2. Sri Lanka: The Cookbook | Buy on Amazon |
| 3. Rice & Curry: Sri Lankan Home Cooking | Buy on Amazon |
| 4. Serendip: My Sri Lankan Kitchen | Buy on Amazon |
| 5. Weligama — Recipes from Sri Lanka | Buy on Amazon |
| 6. Sri Lankan Flavours: A Journey Through The Island’s Food And Culture | Buy on Amazin |
| 7. Exotic Tastes of Sri Lanka | Buy on Amazon |
| 8. Handmade: Stories of Strength Shared Through Recipes from the Women of Sri Lanka | Buy on Amazon |
| 9. Sri Lankan Cooking 64 Recipes from the Chefs and Kitchens of Sri Lanka | Buy on Amazon |
| 10. “A Kitchen in Sri Lanka” by Shyamala Sivaraman | Buy on Amazon |
1. Sarogini’s Sri Lanka Food
Author: Sarogini Kamalanathan
About the author:
Sarogini Kamalanathan, a native Sri Lankan is known for teaching the wonders of Sri Lankan cuisine for over 25 years now. When she first moved to New Zealand in the 1970s, she often cooked exotic Sri Lankan curries and hoppers for her curious colleagues at work. This eventually led to her setting up formal cooking classes — a move that sparked the interest of the local television media and food journalists.
Today, she has opened her house in Perth to cooking classes — ‘Sarogini-style’. Each class is open to six students who are given personal cooking lessons to produce delectable dishes. She also has her own website to help people create their own delicious Sri Lankan meals.
What makes the book special:
Sarogini’s ‘Sri Lanka Food’ is one of the best traditional Sri Lankan Cookbooks that captures the meld of fragrant, flavourful dishes characteristic to the island. Spread across 188 pages, the book is packed with more than 100 easy-to-prepare traditional Sri Lankan recipes, ranging from curries, rice dishes, sweets, finger foods, and vegetarian delights.
The author provides an insight into Tradtional Sri Lankan food in detail, reaching out to her own personal collection of heirloom recipes from family and friends carefully handed down multiple generations.
Must-try recipes:
Chicken Pepper Fry, Spicy Crab Curry, traditional Sri Lankan Hoppers, and the impressive collection of vegetarian dishes such as Pineapple Curry, Fried Eggplant and Cashews.
2. Sri Lanka: The Cookbook
Authors: Prakash K Sivanathan, Niranjala M Ellawala
About the authors:
Prakash and Niranjana are a husband-wife duo who first came to London in the 1970s and struggled to recreate the Sri Lankan recipes that they grew up with because of the lack of availability of traditional ingredients. This led them to build their own award-winning restaurant in Hampstead called Elephant Walk. Today, they both organise supper clubs and workshops under the name Coconut Kitchens where they teach people the art of cooking.
What makes the book special:
Because Prakash is a Tamilian and Niranjana is Sinhalese, ‘Sri Lanka: The Cookbook‘ brings together both styles beautifully, showcasing the best of the island’s culinary heritage. Also influenced by Indian and the Middle East cooking traditions, this Sinhalese-Tamil cookbook has over 100 Sri Lankan recipes that celebrate the country’s native ingredients, such as okra, coconut, jackfruit, and chillies.
Curated carefully and accompanied with a pleothora of Photos, tables and tips and tricks to get you on your way to cooking like a local.
Must-try recipes:
Traditional feather-light hoppers, fiery sambals, delicately spiced curries, and unique fried snacks.
3. Rice & Curry: Sri Lankan Home Cooking
Author: S. H. Fernando Jr
About the author:
Known as a man of 1000 faces, S. H. Fernando began his career as a music journalist for The Source magazine. After writing a book on hip-hop called The New Beats, he started his own label called WordSound Recordings in 1994. Since then, the label has released over 65 albums and numerous singles and EPs. Fernando is also known as a producer and a director and has three feature films to his credit.
As a former executive chef at the Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington, Fernando currently organises supper clubs, pop-ups, culinary tours to Sri Lanka, and cooking classes. He is also the host of YouTube cooking shows ‘Pan Asian’, ‘Off The Eaten Path’ and ‘Adventures in Dining’.
What makes the book special:
Known as one of the best Sri Lankan cookbooks, Rice & Curry has well-researched, authentic, and easy-to-follow recipes. The book successfully demystifies traditional ingredients, spices, and flavours, proving that Sri Lankan food can be healthy and delicious. This book is perfect for those who want to cook traditional recipes with a modern twist.
Capturing the essence of traditional cuisine and presenting it in a modern manner appealing very well to a global audience.
Gorgeous picture accompany you each step of the way making it a colourful and informative visual experience.
The book also provides you with a brief insight into the history of the nation and a guide to experiencing culinary delights along your travels.
Must-try recipes:
Roasted Curry Powder, Spicy Lentil Fritters( Masla Vadai), Coconut Milk Gravy (Kiri Hodhi), Leela’s Chilaw Crab Curry(Kakuluwo Curry),Fish Mustard Curry (Abba Kiri Malu), Mango Curry, Hoppers(Appa) and Coconut Custard Pudding.
4. Serendip — My Sri Lankan Kitchen
Author: Peter Kuruvita
About the author:
Peter Kuruvita’s love affair with food first began in his ancestral home in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After cooking around the globe, Peter opened Sydney’s award-winning Flying Fish restaurant in 2004, where he was the executive chef for eight years. He later replicated this successful model with two other restaurants — Flying Fish Fiji and Flying Fish Tokoriki, known for using fresh, local produce to create sumptuous seafood. He was also the host of the popular TV series ‘My Sri Lanka with Peter Kuruvita’, ‘Island Feast with Peter Kuruvita’, ‘Mexican Fiesta’ and ‘Coastal Kitchen’.
What makes the book special:
Serendip is a book that takes the readers on a journey through the rich traditional cuisine of Sri Lanka. Not only does the book have one of the greatest collections of traditional Sri Lankan recipes, but it also provides personal insights into Peter’s memories of his childhood on the island. This comprehensive compilation of the best Sri Lankan food and heart-warming stories is a testimony to the rich culture and tradition of the country.
My favourite part of the book is where the Author describes the perilous yet adventurous journey his family undertook to relocate back to Sri Lanka, which was a 20,000 Km drive all the way from Engalnd to Srilanka.
Must-try recipes:
Sri Lankan Curry Powder, Sweet Treats, Sambals, Chutneys, and Pickles.
Peter’s Recipes are quick colourful and have a flashy touch to them. He captures Sri Lankan cuisine from the eyes of an expat returning home to discover his roots.
5. Weligama — Recipes from Sri Lanka
Author: Emily Dobbs
About the author:
With a background in fine arts, Emily Dobbs was the first British chef to popularise Sri Lankan food in London through her pop-up stall in Druid Street Market. Emily discovered her love for Sri Lankan food at a young age when she was visiting her uncle who lived on the island. Years later, as a successful chef in London, she made it her mission to bring Sri Lankan food to the city where she lived.
She is an entrepreneur in the London food scene hosting pop ups and is also the owner of a Appa or Hopper Stall called Weligama serving a variety of rice hoppers including egg hoppers, hoppers topped with palm jaggery and coconut milk.
What makes the book special:
Sri Lankan food is fresh and vibrant, with the perfect combination of spices, textures, and flavours. ‘Weligama — Recipes from Sri Lanka‘ manages to capture exactly that, with its unique collection of easy-to-follow, innovative recipes that are inspired by the culture of the island. This Sri Lankan cookbook has recipes for every meal and season, ranging from breakfast to short eats, curries, and accompaniments.
Must-try recipes:
Crispy Egg Hoppers, Mutton Rolls, Rabbit Curry, Wild mushrooms with chilli arrak and yoghurt, Vadas, Papaya Cake, and Banana Tarte Tatin
6. Sri Lankan Flavours
Author: Channa Dassanayaka
About the author:
Channa Dassanayaka was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and spent most of his childhood in Eheliyagoda. After attending the Ceylon Hotel School, he moved for work to Oman and Germany before returning to Sri Lanka to continue his culinary training at the Hilton hotel in Colombo. However, owing to the civil unrest in the country, he moved to Australia and opened the Woodapple Sri Lankan restaurant.
What makes the book special:
When Channa Dassanayaka returned to Sri Lanka, he rediscovered his love for the flavours of his childhood. The scent of cardamom and curry powder in the air, the sight of sambals being made using the traditional mortar and pestle, and women mixing pickles on their low stools inspired him to pay homage to the Sri Lankan food that was an integral part of his childhood. And thus, ‘Sri Lankan flavours‘ was born — one of the best Sri Lankan cookbooks dedicated to the traditions and food of the exotic island.
The book i feel provides a Travelogue and culinary guide mixed into one providing a nostaglic look into the Authors travels across his motherland, experiencing and rediscovering unique dishes, especially from the streets and the perspective of the common man.
Must-try recipes:
Tempered Prawns, Yellow Rice, Blue Swimmer Crab & Sweet Chilli, Sambals, Coconut Roti, and Lamb Curry with Coriander.
A collection of Sambals provides a fresh perspective into a multitude of accompaniments once can concoct using these recipes as a guide.
7. Exotic Tastes of Sri Lanka
Author: Suharshini Seneviratne
About the author:
Suharshini Seneviratne was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After graduating from the University of Maryland in the United States, she moved to the Netherlands, where she frequently cooked traditional Sri Lankan food for her friends. This, in turn, prompted her to write ‘Exotic Tastes’, inspired by her life growing up on the island.
What makes the book special:
”Exotic Tastes‘ is a cookbook highlighting the gamut of flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine, from hot and spicy curries to comforting and mild hoppers. From seafood to vegetarian dishes, egg recipes, appetizers, and desserts, this 157-recipe Sri Lankan cookbook has something for everyone! One of the best features of this cookbook is that it explains spices and their uses, cooking techniques, and utensils that you can use — all adapted for home cooks.
Must-try recipes:
String Hoppers, Pittu, Pumpkin Kalu Pol Curry, Sweetmeats, Short Eats, and Salads.
8. Handmade: Stories of Strength Shared Through Recipes from the Women of Sri Lanka
About the authors:
‘Handmade‘ is a book written by 34 women of Sri Lanka and produced by Palmera — a for-purpose organisation. The goal of the organisation is to create a world where no one is left out. By supporting businesses established by rural entrepreneurs and feeding those who struggle to feed themselves, Palmera is making a difference, one life at a time.
What makes the book special:
‘Handmade’ is a 250-page coffee table book that takes you on a journey of Sri Lankan food through the stories of 34 women. The book brings to life the story of their struggle and strength as they rebuild their lives during and after the war through food. ‘Handmade’ brings us closer to the women we may never know, yet have a story that is worth telling. With exquisite photography and one-of-a-kind recipes, this Sri Lankan cookbook will allow you to get inspired and savour new foods.
So, if you’re looking to whip up some tasty, traditional Sri Lankan recipes, you know exactly which Sri Lankan cookbooks to follow!
Must Try Recipes:
Simple yet spectacular is how you can describe these women and their journey, their food captures the hardships faced and the simple pleasures one can cherish by sharing a meal with their loved ones.
Inipu Thosai (Sweet Dosai) is a buttery light rice flour pancake filled with a sweet coconut and palm jaggery filling a humble dish made on a special occasion to celebrate with family and friends or Green beans and pumpkin curry thick and creamy best served hot with a side of steamed white rice.
9. Sri Lankan Cooking 64 Recipes from the Chefs and Kitchens of Sri Lanka
About the authors:
This books helps you discover the fabled island of ceylon beyond the sapphires rubies and spices and takes a deep dive through the eyes of professional chefs as they highlight the best that the country has to offer.
64 mouth watering delicacies handpicked from the four corners of the island focusing on traditional techniques and ingredients to capture the true soul of this colourful and vibrant cuisine. I find this book to be the perfect companion to guide you into the island and its cuisine.
What makes the book special:
This book is unique collaboration featuring some of the top chefs in the country who head the kitchens at some of the most luxurious and opulent getaways resorts and hotels the country has to offer. Hand crafter and curated to help the reader ease into the many complex and interesting flavour combination and ingredients. Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Lighthouse Hotel, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Blue Oceanic Hotel, and Yala Safari Game Lodge have come forward and contributed their time and effort in making this book possible.
Must Try Recipes:
A well written book with easy to follow recipes makes this standout amongst the rest, Tamarind claypot fish, prawns in coconut curry, coconut curry crab, curried meatballs, stir fried lamb, portuguese omelte are some of my favourites from the book.
10. “A Kitchen in Sri Lanka” by Shyamala Sivaraman
About the authors:
Shyamala Sivaraman a chef, food writer, and photographer is a Sri Lankan by birth but a citizen of the world, she has lived in the UK and has helped build a strong community scene when it comes to Sri Lankan cuisine. She has worked with multiple other authors including Emily Dobbs on “Ceylon: The Cookbook”. Her blog titled “Sugar Apple” captures her many journeys into the Island through recipes, travelougues, and photos.
What makes the book special:
Shyamala Sivaraman is a strong believer of sustainable living and has emphasised this through her recipes capturing true Sri Lankan cuisine through its fresh locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Holding high her commitment to promoting healthy and sustainable cooking practices.
Must Try Recipes:
Sri Lankan-style Cashew Curry, a traditional vegan dish made with cashews cooked in a flavorful blend of spices and coconut milk, the perfect curry that’s for a light yet flavourful meal.
Jaffna-Style Crab Curry is a spicy and flavorful dish made with fresh crabs cooked in a blend of aromatic roasted spices combined coconut milk, and tamarind to help balance the creamy texture of the coconut with a bit of sourness a true ode to the cuisine of the Northern province of Sri Lanka.
This well curated selection of books captures the colourful and delicious world of Sri Lankan cuisine from the eyes of Chefs, Colonial Cooks, Home makers, and the ordinary man. With such a well curated list of books look no further and dive deep into this mouth watering cuisine and discover wonders of the culinary world unlike anyother.
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