Standard foods are spicy and it is advised to approach curries with caution. There are many vegetables, fruits, meats and seafoods. Chinese, Continental, Indian and Japanese menus are available in Colombo. A specialty is basic curry, made with coconut milk, sliced onion, green chilli, aromatic spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron and aromatic leaves.
Things to know: Alcohol cannot be sold on
poya holidays (which occur each lunar month on the day of the full moon).
National specialties:•
Hoppers is a cross between a muffin and a crumpet
with a wafer-crisp edge, served with a fresh egg soft-baked on top.
•
Stringhoppers are steamed circlets of rice flour, a little more delicate than noodles or spaghetti.
• Jaggery is a fudge made from the crystallised sap of the
kitul palm.
• The
durian fruit is considered a great delicacy.
National drinks:
• Tea is the national drink and thought to be amongst the best in the world.
•
Toddy (sap of the palm tree).
•
Arrack (fermented
Toddy which comes in varying degrees of strength).
Tipping: Most hotels include a service charge of 10 per cent. Extra tipping is optional.
NightlifeSome Colombo hotels have supper clubs with music for dancing. There are theaters in Colombo, cinemas showing films from the USA, ballet, concerts and theater productions.
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.jpg "Smiling Tamil tea pickers")
