Food and Drink in Jaffna

Traditional Jaffna cuisine has a distinct flavour that is markedly different to that of the rest of the country, closer to south Indian cuisine in taste. A lot of the cuisine in this region is strictly vegetarian as Hinduism is widely practiced here, but Thosai, idly, pittu, vades, rice and curries including seafood and meats (mainly mutton) are also available, cooked with local herbs and spices and are rich in their flavours. Kool seafood soup, bone Rasam, Mutton Poriyal, Brinjal and Murunga (vegetable known as drum sticks) are all signature dishes in Jaffna, but the fiery crab curry is certainly the highlight of food in Jaffna. Go for a cooking class and learn the secrets to cleaning fresh sea crabs and how to prepare a traditional Jaffna crab curry.

If you explore the Jaffna markets, grab breakfast at one of the local eateries where the coveted Thosai (thin pancakes stuffed with filling or served plain with a variety of accompaniments) and string hoppers are served on a banana leaf accompanied by a sweet milk tea. Go early to avoid crowds. Alternatively, stop at the legendary Rio’s Ice Cream Parlour on Point Pedro road for a refreshing sweet treat: the young and the old throng to this parlour for three scoops of ice crème topped with jelly and mangos.