A Taste of Sri Lanka
Galle Sri Lanka Traditional Fishermen
There are some dishes that do more than satisfy your appetite. They tell a story, evoke a place, and leave you longing to experience the destination for yourself. Sri Lankan Prawn Curry is one of those dishes.
Rich in fragrant spices, fresh seafood, coconut, and generations of culinary tradition, this vibrant curry captures the essence of Sri Lanka in a single bowl. For travellers seeking a destination that combines extraordinary cuisine with breathtaking landscapes, ancient culture, wildlife, and warm hospitality, Sri Lanka offers an experience that is every bit as memorable as its food.
So before you savour your first spoonful of this delicious Sri Lankan Prawn Curry, let's take a culinary journey to one of Asia's most captivating destinations.
Why Sri Lankan Cuisine is So Special
Often described as one of Asia's best-kept culinary secrets, Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating blend of flavours influenced by centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange.
Fresh coconut, aromatic spices, seafood, tropical fruits, and locally grown rice feature prominently throughout the country's cooking. Every region has its own specialties, yet one thing remains consistent: bold flavours that perfectly balance heat, sweetness, acidity, and richness.
The Sri Lankan Prawn Curry featured here is a perfect example. Combining coconut, coriander, fennel, cumin, curry leaves, and succulent prawns, it delivers the warm, complex flavour profile that has made Sri Lankan food increasingly popular with travellers from around the world.
Bring a Taste of Sri Lanka Home with the Sri Lankan Prawn Curry
If you're dreaming of Sri Lanka, why not start your journey in the kitchen? This authentic Sri Lankan Prawn Curry is rich, fragrant and surprisingly easy to prepare.
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the curry:
500g prawns, cleaned and deveined
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, minced
50ml thick coconut milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt, to taste
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
6 curry leaves, for garnish
For the spice mixture:
3 tablespoons fresh grated coconut
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin powder
½ teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ground red chilli flakes
Method
Clean and devein the prawns. Marinate them with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Dry roast the grated coconut, coriander seeds and fennel seeds in a frying pan until golden and fragrant.
Allow the mixture to cool, then combine with the pepper, cumin, turmeric, curry powder and chilli flakes. Add a little water and blend into a coarse paste.
Heat oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion until golden brown.
Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
Stir in the coconut spice paste and cook gently for two minutes.
Add a splash of water and cook until the liquid reduces and the spices are aromatic.
Add the prawns and cook for approximately three minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk and simmer gently until the curry thickens slightly.
Add the curry leaves, stir through and remove from the heat.
Serve with steamed rice and enjoy
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Beyond the Flavours
While the food alone is worth the journey, Sri Lanka offers far more than exceptional cuisine.
Despite its relatively compact size, the island is packed with incredible experiences. In a single holiday, travellers can explore ancient UNESCO-listed cities, spot elephants roaming in national parks, ride scenic trains through misty tea plantations, relax on palm-fringed beaches, and immerse themselves in centuries-old cultural traditions.
For many New Zealanders, Sri Lanka is a refreshing alternative to more heavily travelled destinations. It offers remarkable value, authentic experiences, and a genuine warmth that visitors often remember long after they return home.
Of course, the flavours are only part of Sri Lanka's story. What makes the island so special is how much diversity is packed into one destination.
You might find yourself climbing the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya in the morning, wandering through the cultural heart of Kandy by afternoon, and sipping world-famous Ceylon tea as mist rolls over emerald-green plantations the next day. The iconic train journey between Kandy and Ella is worth the trip alone, offering some of the most spectacular scenery in Asia.
Sri Lanka is equally rewarding for nature lovers. National parks such as Yala and Udawalawe offer incredible opportunities to spot elephants, colourful birdlife and, if you're lucky, even the elusive leopard. Then there's the coastline, where golden beaches, fresh seafood and historic towns like Galle provide the perfect place to slow the pace and soak up island life.
Ready to explore Sri Lanka?
For travellers wanting to experience all of these highlights without the stress of coordinating every detail themselves, the private Sri Lanka itineraries from Exotic Holidays offer an effortless way to discover the island.
These tours showcase many of the country's most celebrated destinations, whileproviding a wonderful introduction to its culture, landscapes and traditions. With expert local guides and thoughtfully designed itineraries, travellers can spend less time planning and more time immersing themselves in everything Sri Lanka has to offer.
The Many Sides of Sri Lanka
14 Days from Colombo From $4,199 per person share twin
This tour has been designed to showcase the very best of this fascinating island, taking travellers from centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage sites and cultural treasures to scenic hill country landscapes, national parks and picturesque coastal towns.
Along the way, you'll experience Sri Lanka's warm hospitality, vibrant traditions and unforgettable scenery.
Splendors of Sri Lanka
16 Days from Colombo from $4,569 per person share twin
This tour takes travellers on a comprehensive 16-day exploration of the island's cultural, natural and coastal highlights.
From climbing the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress and exploring the sacred city of Kandy to travelling through tea country, spotting wildlife in Yala National Park and unwinding along the southern coastline, this itinerary showcases the many sides of Sri Lanka.