For a country with an obsession with rice in all of its many forms, Sri Lanka does fair justice to the staple food item. While our variety of rice based dishes is fascinatingly numerous, we also do a good job in fusing the accommodating starch with a number of unique flavours to arrive at what we know to be the Lankan rice experience.
The sheer number of dishes revolving around the starch makes those ones who are exceptional in their taste so much more special. Colombo being the dine-out capital of the country boasts of many treasures known and lesser known in the rice category.
1. Oriental Fried Rice – Paradise Road Café (Town Hall)
Before even getting to the subject of this dish, the place truly deserves a mention. Hidden away in the second level of the Paradise Road showroom located at the Town Hall junction, this cosy little café is one of Colombo’s best kept secrets. The food is exceptional but adds on the solid ambient foundation of the short walk through the somewhat mystical Paradise Road showroom. The place is rarely crowded and always quiet enough to facilitate great conversation.
The food itself is exceptionally palatable, but on the topic for today’s review, the Oriental Fried Rice is a somewhat refreshing twist to the cliché menu item. While the base ingredients remain consistent, the flavours and the preparation method all seem alien and make for a delightful new experience for any Fried Rice aficionado.
2. Fried Rice with Shredded Pork – Fountain Café (Union Place)
Yet another gem hidden away in plain sight, the Fountain Café is the remnant of the once legendary eatery from yesteryear. Today, anyone with an insatiable appetite for the original Elephant House Hotdog is sure to know their way to the back of the Keells Super at Union Place where Fountain Café is located. Again, highly conducive for good conversation albeit being slightly crowded on occasion, the place lends a lot to its menu.
The food is menued in a rather comprehensive list unbecoming of the seemingly cosy location. To the point of the Fried Rice, the dish is perhaps the most popular among its patrons and the taste is impeccable although the portion size could leave some wanting. The shredded pork is a great addition to the dish and for the more demanding, a Bacon Cheese Omelette as a side is also on the cards.
3. Steamed Rice – Thai Boulevard (Colpetty)
Thai Boulevard is known for its finer dining take on Thai cuisine and judging by the frequent full-house turnout, the food has struck gold among the local diners. The menu again is a comprehensive one and most would tend to stay in the safe with what they know, but for those willing to experiment, read on!
The Steamed Rice is a clear winner in the Thai side of things purely given the ease of pairing the starch with any and all choices of curry; the Steamed Rice is the culinary equivalent of a blank canvas. The Grilled Sea Bass is perhaps the best decision to be made at the Thai Boulevard and is a prized find. The texture of the Bass and the green chilli sauce accompaniment are amazingly well picked. Anyone feeling meatier should also try pairing the Steamed Rice with the Village Curry Pork, another great menu item.
4. Devilled Chicken Fried Rice – Java Lounge (Jawatte Road)
Java Lounge is a fan favourite for their coffee and conversation but overall the café wouldn’t be quoted on the best places for dining out. The Devilled Chicken Fried Rice is arguably the one exception in the lacklustre dining menu. Generous servings of chicken in the true to its namesake spicy temperament pairs with an accommodating fried rice, rounding the dish off. Portion size is satisfactory enough and the taste albeit not exceptional is unique and works with their Strawberry Iced Tea and/or coffee.
5. Yellow Rice with Black Pork Curry – VOC Café (Dutch Burgher Union)
The VOC Café as a dining location could not be recommended highly enough. An absolute personal favourite, I’m convinced they can’t do anything wrong as far as food and drinks go. Famous for their Mixed Meat Lamprais, the VOC Café is also home for a number of other delectable overshadowed food items, the Yellow Rice with Black Pork Curry primary among them.
6. Rice and Curry with Elu Mas Mirisata – Upali’s by Nawaloka (Town Hall)
Anyone with an inclination towards Sri Lankan cuisine needs to frequent Upali’s by Nawaloka, the highly accessible Sri Lankan restaurant. Although the Roast Paan too is to kill for, the Rice and Curry paired with Mutton in Red Curry is no short fiddle.
7. Australian Lamb – Whight and Co. (Marine Drive)
Whight and Co is truly underrated as a café when considering the fine balance of food and coffee they serve. However, the food being today’s subject of choice; the Australian Lamb paired with their Garlic Rice is something of a delicacy and a must-try.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS by Dilshan Writes
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