Best Sri Lanka Cooking Class for Tourists. For those interested in experiencing Sri Lankan cuisine firsthand, many places across Sri Lanka offer authentic rice and curry cooking classes tailored specifically for foreign visitors. These cooking classes give tourists the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes, including the famous rice and curry. Here’s what you can expect from a typical class:
More Details – Sigiriya Lion’s Rock
Sri Lanka Cooking Class
What to Expect in a Sri Lankan Rice and Curry Cooking Class:
- Introduction to Ingredients:
- The class typically begins with an introduction to the various ingredients used in Sri Lankan cooking. Many classes take you on a tour of a local market where you can see and select fresh vegetables, spices, and other ingredients, or they may include a garden tour to explore the herbs and spices used.
- Essential spices such as curry powder, cumin, coriander, mustard seeds, and turmeric will be discussed, along with coconut, which is a staple in Sri Lankan cooking.
- Rice and Curry Preparation:
- Participants will learn how to prepare rice in traditional ways, including variations like red rice, coconut rice, or yellow rice flavored with spices.
- You will be taught how to make multiple curries, usually involving local ingredients like pumpkin, eggplant, green beans, potatoes, lentils (dal curry), chicken, or fish. Each curry will have a distinct flavor profile depending on the combination of spices and coconut milk.
- Coconut Milk Extraction:
- One of the unique aspects of Sri Lankan cooking is the use of fresh coconut milk, and many classes teach you how to extract coconut milk from freshly grated coconuts using a traditional tool called a hiramanaya.
- Cooking Techniques:
- Sri Lankan cooking involves specific techniques, including tempering spices in hot oil, simmering curries to achieve deep flavors, and balancing spicy, sour, and sweet notes using ingredients like tamarind, lime, or jaggery (palm sugar).
- You’ll also learn how to control the level of heat by adjusting the use of green chilies and chili powder.
- Accompaniments:
- The class will also teach you how to prepare side dishes and condiments such as:
- Pol Sambol: A coconut-based relish.
- Mallung: A type of Sri Lankan stir-fry made from finely shredded leafy greens with grated coconut.
- Papadums: Thin, crispy crackers served with rice and curry.
- Pickles and Chutneys: Which often accompany the meal for added flavor and texture.
- The class will also teach you how to prepare side dishes and condiments such as:
- Hands-On Experience:
- Most cooking classes provide a hands-on experience where each participant can take part in peeling, cutting, mixing, and cooking. The chef or instructor will guide you through each step.
- Enjoying Your Meal:
- After the cooking process, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the feast you’ve prepared. The meal will usually consist of several curries, rice, sambols, and other dishes you’ve made during the class.
- Recipe Booklets:
- Many classes provide recipe booklets so you can recreate the dishes once you’re back home.
Popular Locations for Cooking Classes in Sri Lanka:
- Kandy:
- Several home-based cooking schools and guesthouses in Kandy offer cooking classes that include trips to local markets and gardens. A popular class is Suwetha Cooking Class, which offers authentic Sri Lankan food-making experiences.
- Ella:
- Ella is a popular tourist town, and many cooking classes here take place in a home setting with views of the surrounding hills. Matey Hut Cooking Class is one example where you can learn to make traditional rice and curry with a local family.
- Unawatuna:
- Many classes are available in the Unawatuna area, where chefs focus on Fish and Vegetable shopping and Authentic Rice and Curries cooking. The Sea Wave Cooking Class is a well-known place that specializes in teaching foreigners about traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
- Colombo:
- Being the capital, Colombo has several hotels and private chefs offering high-quality cooking classes for foreigners. Some notable options include Jetwing Colombo and Cooking Class Colombo.
- Habarana and Sigiriya:
- In the Cultural Triangle, several eco-resorts and homestays offer cooking classes in rural settings, giving you a more authentic village experience, sometimes even involving traditional clay pots and wood-fired stoves.
Sri Lanka Cooking Class Typical Cost:
- The cost of a Sri Lankan rice and curry cooking class for foreigners ranges from USD 30 to USD 50 per person, depending on the location and the inclusions (market visits, meal size, and so on).
Class Duration:
- Most classes last around 2–4 hours, including the time spent preparing the meal and enjoying the feast afterward.
These classes are a great way to immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture, learn about its culinary traditions, and enjoy a delicious meal made by your own hands.
Day Tour Price to Sigiriya & Cooking Class
- Day Tour & Transport Cost for Sigiriya:
From Colombo Start from 135 USD PP (Pax 1 to 8)
From Sigiriya Start from 95USD PP (Pax 1 to 8)
Private tour in an A/C car or van with an English speaking chauffeur-guide
Vehicle Options:
Car (up to 2 persons): Toyota Axio, Prius Hybrid, Premio/Honda Fit Shuttle or similar
Van (3 to 8 persons): Toyota KDH/Nissan Caravan or similar - Included – Entrance Tickets, Refreshment, Transport
- Entrance ticket fee for Sigiriya Lion’s Rock – Ticket price for each place US$ 35 / EUR 31 / GBP 26) per foreign adult and US$ 17 / EUR 16 / GBP 13 ticket price per foreign child of age 05 – 12 years are applicable.
- Entrance ticket fee for Cooking Class – Ticket price for each place US$ 40 / EUR 36 / GBP 30) per foreign adult and US$ 20 / EUR 18 / GBP 15 ticket price per foreign child of age 05 – 12 years are applicable.