The much awaited Jaffna Food Promotion is happening at Grand Oriental Hotel for the 5th consecutive year from the 12th to 21st of June 2015. A most luscious dinner buffet of Traditional Jaffna Cuisine would be on offer for all the Jaffna Food lovers from 7.30 pm onwards at the dazzling Harbour Room with a stunning ambience and the scenic view of the Colombo Harbour.

The Jaffna dinner buffet would be available to the customers at a rate of Rs. 1850/- net pp. This is a rare opportunity for all Sri Lankan food lovers to rekindle their love for Jaffna cuisine which resembles the true Tamil Identity.

Yarlpana Samayal

It is said that the Traditional Yarlpana Samayal (Jaffna cuisine) has a distinct flavour that is different to the rest of the Sri Lankan cuisine which reflects their resourcefulness in the use of products of their harsh lands. The people in Yarlpanam believe that an ideal full course meal should include six senses of tastes famously referred as ‘Arusuvai’. So what is this Arusuvai (Six Tastes) then?

Arusuvai means six tastes and they are perceived by the tongue when the food enters the mouth. All food can be categorized under six tastes as Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour, Astringent and Pungent. Those people believed quite rightly that arusuvai (Six Tastes) provided them with a good balanced food and it kept them healthy and fit physically. At the same time they also had the indigenous spices and herbs which provided them with ready remedies to their health problems. Now we know that arusuvai (Six Tastes), according to Ayurveda should be included to form a balanced diet and again according to Ayurveda, ‘sense of taste is the guide map towards proper nutrition'.

Popular Dishes at Jaffna Food Promotion

The menu is been well prepared to cater the famous dishes which has its own uniqueness. Chef Raazan who has an excellent knowledge and the experience will prepare all the Jaffna Cuisine with its’ traditional manner. Indulge in this Jaffna Dinner Buffet infused with aromatic traditional spices.

Variety of Dosa - Onion Dosa
                           Paper Dosa
                           Masala Dosa
                           Plain Dosa
                           Ghee Dosa

Variety of Pittu -  Sura Pittu
                           Prawn Pittu
                           Vegetable Pittu
                           Egg Pittu
                           Milk Pittu
                           Mutton Pittu

Variety of Curries - Chicken curry
                               Mutton curry
                               Crab curry
                               Prawn curry

Variety of dishes in fish (Thurukke varuvel, Sura varuvel)

Variety of Kottu
 

Odial Kool, Rasam, Jaffna Ice cream, Murukku, Kesari & Vade items.

Introduction to Spices

There is a huge variety of ingredients used to spice dishes in Yarlpanam. Some have also been used in indigenous medicines. Here are some of these ingredients. Asafoetida, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Cumin, Curry Leaves, Fenugreek, Ginger, Garlic, Mustard, Nutmeg, Onion,  Pepper, Saffron, Tamarind, Turmeric, Honey, Lemon/Lime & Rasam.