Chiminiya.

Chiminiya is a tiny eatery down Perahera Road, that's known for their rice and curry. It's always buzzing with people, despite the fact that good old Praneetha is just 300 meters away from this place. Anyway, here's what we experienced during our quick lunch last week. 

Rice & Curry

The rice & curry spread here doesn't have a massive diversity like the one you find at Praneetha (well, nothing is), but this isn't so bad. Featuring around 10 – 15 curries, it includes 7 types of proteins – curried chicken, curried pork, fried chicken, egg, and fried fish whatnot. 

The process of getting your rice and curry fix here is pretty standard:

1. Pick your rice (white/red)

2. Pick 5 curries – 4 veggies and 1 protein

This is the Fried Fish Rice & Curry (Rs. 250) that Dinesh ordered. Featuring dhal curry bean curry, tempered potato, and gotukola sambol, it had a generous serving of well-cooked red rice. 

Both dhal and bean curries were adequately milky, but lacked the significant curry taste that any Lankan would look for. However, the tempered potatoes had a lot of chili flakes infused in it, which helped to elevate the spicy factor of the whole meal. We had no complaints about the fried fish either. Soft from the inside, while the outside is slightly tough, it had a good crisp to bite. 

Lamindu settled for a Chicken Rice & Curry (Rs. 230), which was served with dhal curry, bean curry, tempered potato, and brinjal. Tender and juicy, the chicken boasted a rich curry flavor, but our hearts cringed a little when we saw the size of it. It was small, and not at all enough to finish this massive buth plate. 

The mango curry on this plate of Fried Chicken Rice & Curry (Rs. 250) deserves a special shoutout for being such a delight. With hints of sweet and sour elements in the right balance, it paired really nicely with the steaming hot sudu samba buth

The fried chicken was coated with a light batter, so it didn't overpower the meaty flavors, but we'd prefer if it had a little bit more seasoning. On the other hand, the separate portion of Pork (Rs. 350) we ordered as takeout didn't really impress us. Its gravy was rich with notes of goraka and tamarind seeping through, but we found a lot of oily bits in it, as opposed to meat. 

As you can probably see, some of the curries are on repeat, mostly because of the lack of variety in their spread.

Service & Ambience

We were busy gobbling down food, which is why we forgot to take the pictures of the interior. However, this photo is from the Sinhala review we did a couple of years ago. The blackboard has been replaced by a whiteboard now, but aside from that, everything about its interior hasn't changed a bit. It's one of those buth kadeys that has the whole gamey vibe going on. 

Their space is pretty small, with a few wooden tables and chairs – so, your best option is takeaway. This place gets very crowded during the lunch hour, so long queues, and frowny faces if you skip the line are expected.  

Conclusion

Praneetha is now bigger and better, so it's swarming with customers all day, which is probably why the crowd has chosen Chiminiya as an option to get their quick rice and curry fix. Their portions are generous, but it would be great if they can improve the diversity of the curries, and make good use of the spices. 

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Sri Lanka’s First Hotpot Conveyor Belt Launches at We Ai Family in Colombo

Colombo has just welcomed an exciting new culinary experience with the launch of Sri Lanka’s

Highlights Kamu Trending

A Vintage Affair at Sky Lounge

An Evening of Fine Wine and an Italian Touch The Kingsbury, Colombo, invites you to

Highlights Kamu Trending

Taste the World: 7 Cuisines in 7 Days

Are you craving a culinary adventure? 7 Cuisines in 7 Days is your ultimate guide

Highlights Kamu Trending

The Avenue, Colombo – Review

From the moment you walk in, the space offers a sense of comfort. Its simple

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Fine Dining Restaurants You Must Try in Colombo

Sri Lanka’s culinary scene is rapidly evolving, blending its rich heritage with global gastronomic trends.

Highlights Kamu Trending

Tea Trails & Tastes: : Best Eats in Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

By Fathima Rukaiya, Let’s take a flavorful journey through the culinary landscapes of Ella and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Trending.

Sri Lanka’s First Iris Photography Experience by Eye Craft

On June 29th, the iconic Virticle by Jetwing hosted the grand launch of Eye Craft,

Trending

Hilton Named Best Workplace in Sri Lanka

This milestone marks the first time the hospitality company is recognized as the top employer

Trending

Bello Beach Bar by Browns Hotels & Resorts Redefines Coastal Leisure on Sri Lanka’s East Coast

Pasikuda’s coastline, known for its calm waters and untouched beauty, welcomed a refreshing new addition

Trending

MasterChef Franchise Makes Landmark Debut in Sri Lanka with Star-Studded Launch

Global culinary hit commissioned in 71 territories following latest Banijay Rights dealRs 3 Million, a

Trending

Sri Lanka’s Most Acclaimed Japanese Restaurant, Nihonbashi, Celebrates 30 Years

Marking three decades of popularizing "Washoku" in Sri Lanka, Chef Dharshan Munidasa’s flagship restaurant celebrates

Trending

Sesaya Poshtel & Bistro: Redefining Affordable Luxury and Community Living in Colombo

Sesaya Poshtel & Bistro, a vibrant new lifestyle destination, has officially opened its doors in

Trending

Yamu Guide.

A Curated List of 9 Japanese Restaurants in Sri Lanka

1.Salmon and Maki - Thalawathugoda Japanese Fusion Cuisine 11.00 AM - 10.30 PM (everyday) Visit:

Highlights Yamu Guide

Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka (Including Hidden Gems)

By Fathima Rukaiya, There are many beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka, but are you unsure

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

The 2025 High Tea Round-Up

Looking for the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing high tea? Whether you're into sweet

Highlights Yamu Guide

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025

By Linara Wimalaweera Father's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and influence of

Yamu Guide

Top Must-Try Restaurants in Ahangama for 2025

Ahangama, a charming surf town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is becoming a popular spot

Highlights Yamu Guide

8 Gift Ideas to Celebrate Your Mom This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside to honor the amazing women who shape

Yamu Guide