Authentic Southern Dishes That Every Lankan Loves.

The southern province carries an insurmountable cultural significance in Sri Lanka. The legacy of south runs deep and strong throughout our history. Since the time of King Mahanaga establishing the Kingdom of Magama and until the English invasion, many culturally and historically significant events took place here. Viharamadevi’s arrival, the start of Prince Gemunu’s movement to unite the country are just a few of those incidents. 

And it's not uncommon to find a friend or a relative that hail from south boasting that they are from there, and rightly so. Here we have listed a few dishes that anyone should have tried out before they lay claim to their southern heritage.

1. Jaadi (Salted Fish) 

Image Courtesy: TheCulinarycorner

This is one of the methods to preserve fish, but one can get a unique taste from incorporating it to a meal. Usually, you can use Thora (Spanish mackerel), Balaya (Skipjack Tuna), Hurulla (Trenched Sardinella), Kumbala (Indian Mackerel), Alagoduwa (Frigate Tuna) in the making of this. 

Firstly, you clean the fish from salt water and remove the intestines and such. Then you apply a layer of goraka (Malabar Tamarind) along with the thick layer of salt, to a bottom of a well-cleaned pot which is used as a bed for a layer of fish. These layers will be repeated until the clay pot is full and then it should be topped off with another layer of salt and goraka. This pot is carefully sealed – so protect it from water and contaminant from outside, may it be insects or otherwise, and kept aside for a good few weeks. 

After a month or so, all the moisture from the fish gets drawn out form the salt while the fishy and salty flavours get mixed up together. Using this as the main ingredient and a number of other spices you can whip up the jaadi hodda that would give a blast of flavour.

2. Ambul Thiyal (sour fish curry)

Image Courtesy: Shikifood

This dish is another proud creation that you can find in the southern lands. Balaya (Skipjack Tuna), Kelawalla (Yellowfin Tuna) serves as prominent fish varients in creating this. The fish is basically smothered with spices such as, goraka (Malabar Tamarind), black pepper, ginger, garlic which will end up giving flavour combination that will catch you off guard and will make you stuff your face with it. 

The fish is cooked with little water until it is evaporated to let the fish absorb all the flavours. This too was a method of preserving fish back in the day that is mainly now used to get the unique flavour that you seldom find elsewhere. Pair it up with a good pol sambol and you can finish up a whole pot of rice by your self.

We at YAMU gave a shot at creating Ambul Thiyal a while back. While this might not be the original one, you can still enjoy the making and get a taste of what you can expect from the beloved Southern Ambul Thiyal

3. Dehi Aanama (දෙහි ආනම)

Image Courtesy: Shikifood

This is the one to try when you want to get a good pucker face from a combination of citrus and creamy flavours. The main ingredient is ripe lime and plenty of it sliced to pieces and boiled. Then you couple that with a mix of items like onions, garlic, green chilli, goraka, rampe (pandan), karapnicha (curry leaves), kurundu (cinnamon), sera (lemongrass), uluhal (fenugreek) and chilli flakes that are tempered in oil and made to a paste.

You mix them together enhancing the flavours as per the taste preference and boil until almost all the coconut milk in the mix is gone. If you didn’t get from the list of spices, believe us, this gives rise to one of the most flavourful dishes that you can come across.

4. Ruhunu Achcharu (southern chutney)

Image Courtesy: Shikifood

While it is customary to eat rice with a five or so side dishes in Sri Lanka, when it comes to this, paring it with something like parippu (dhal curry) is more than enough to give you the flavour to enjoy your meal. This is made with rathu luunu (red onions), papaya, kochchi miris, aba (mustard)  and haalmasso karawala. The mix is cooked in oil and then tempered using vinegar while adding salt and sugar to taste. 

This is a dish that is bound to give you more than enough heat once you consume it. Many in south pair it with something to counteract the heat such as a cucumber curry in their meals.

5. Sunu Saal Buth

Sunu Saal Buth this is procured from the broken rice grains that accumulate while de-husking the grains of rice. Normally this rice is eaten with a combination of umbalakda sambol and coconut sambol.

6. Fried Coconut Mixed Fish Curry (පොල් බැදි මාළු හොද්ද)

Image Courtesy: Shikifood

Another flavourful dish that pays homage to the complex of flavours in the south is fried coconut mixed fish curry. This is a combination of raw and dried chilli, goraka, curry leaves along with grated coconut fried in the pan together to make a blend of flavours and then mixed with a fish curry to bring the flavours to the next level. The sourness from the goraka, and the heat from the chilli pair well with a hot bowl of rice to pull off flavours that are quite frankly out of this world. Or you can dunk some kadey paan in that rich gravy. 

7. Raw Papaya Curry (අමු ගස්ලබු ව්‍යංජනය)

Many believe that some of our Lankan food is quite heat-y (ඌෂ්ණ) to the body. Papaya is believed to be able to counteract the buildup of that. So this curry made from papaya and coconut milk can be flavourful and healthy while being excellent to be coupled with a bowl of red rice. 

We are positive that there are more of the authentic, southern cuisines out there. So share this with a friend or let us know what you think should be in the list down in the comments.  

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

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

Press Conference: Celebrating 50 Years of The London Grill & Welcoming Visiting Chef Phillip Davenport

Colombo, Sri Lanka – 14 May 2025 – Cinnamon Grand Colombo is pleased to invite

Highlights Kamu Trending

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

Browns Hotels Opens Turtle Conservation Hub at Dickwella Resort

On 23rd May, to celebrate World Turtle Day, Browns Hotels & Resorts (BHR) began a

Trending

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

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

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

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

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