Last updated October 10th 2019
Lamprais is a popular lunch meal that Sri Lankans love and is bound to be one of the best rice meals you would taste on your visit. This Dutch-Burgher influenced dish has been a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine for many years and while the recipe may have been changed and developed over the years by various food outlets there are some elements in the Lamprais that can never change.
What’s in a Lamprais
The original traditional Lamprais has a couple of fixed essentials like the rice cooked in stock, Mixed meat curry, Frikkadels, Blachang, Brinjal Pahi and Ash Plantain curry which must be present in a Lamprais for it to be truly authentic.
But over the years, Sri Lankans have altered the recipe and put a local twist to it by adding things such as seeni sambol and boiled eggs into the mix and have replaced frikkadels with cutlets and converted mixed meat curry into one particular meat curry. Wrapped in banana leaf and baked in an oven, it is a delicacy that just must be savoured.
Whether you find in its original form or the revamped local version, is a dish that will keep you coming back for more and as much as it is essential to try rice and curry while in Sri Lanka, you will also be treated to an absolute gastronomical experience with our Lamprais.
Here’s a list of common Sri Lankan words used in a Lamprais.
- Mixed meat curry – A mix of chicken, pork and beef in a thick curry
- Frikkadel – A pan-fried meatball made with minced meat
- Blachang – Shrimp paste
- Brinjal Pahi – Eggplant pickle
- Seeni Sambol – Sweet onion relish
Here are some of the places you can get your hands on a steaming parcel of banana leaf-wrapped Lamprais.
Colombo’s top places to Pickup Lamprais
FAB
0112057777
Vegetable- Rs380, Chicken- Rs460 (Fish Rs500, Mutton Rs650 – pre-order)
All around Colombo, Get directions
The Fab Lamprais is absolutely divine with just the right amount of flavour and spice and is everyone’s go-to Lamprais place. Their Lamprais which comes with a piece of chicken, ash plantain, cutlet, brinjal, egg and pol sambol. If you want to pick up a Lamprais spontaneously with no hassle of preordering or going out of your way – Fab is the easiest and the cheapest.
DONS DELI
0112055606
Chicken- Rs595, Vegetable- Rs550, Mixed meat (Pork, Chicken, Beef) Rs625
53 Haig Road, Colombo, Get directions
Don’s Deli down Marine Drive (Colombo Plan Road) serves up steaming hot Lamprais with a strong accent of ghee with a chunky piece of chicken, spicy seeni sambol, an egg, crispy cutlet, ash plantain and brinjal.
The Lamprais tends to sell out in a matter of minutes during lunchtime so make sure to head over a little early so you won’t be disappointed. Unlike other places, the Lamprais doesn’t come pre-packed so there is a 10-minute wait till it’s packed up.
DUTCH BURGER UNION (DBU)
0112584511
Chicken- Rs530, Mixed Meat- Rs630
114, Reid Ave, Colombo, Get directions
The DBU Lamprais is said to be the most authentic Lamprais in town. Their Lamprais also tends to disappear quickly during lunchtime so make sure to pop by early to get your hands on these delicious parcels. The Lamprais has all the traditional elements and is simple and flavourful.
BREAD TALK
0117356777
Chicken- Rs500
Several locations in Colombo, Get directions
The Breadtalk ‘Fiery Lamprais’ is a spicy surprise if you can handle the heat. The lamprais has a very large piece of chicken, seeni sambol, brinjal, ash plantain, egg and a cutlet and is definitely on the ‘fiery’ side.
GREEN CABIN
0112818523 / 0112818909
Vegetable- Rs400, Fish- Rs450, Chicken- Rs450, Frozen Chicken Rs500
Several locations in Colombo, Get directions
Green Cabin is also an option if you are looking for a last-minute pickup. They’ve got outlets all over Colombo so it’s easy to find. Their Lamprais comes with pol sambol, seeni sambol, a cutlet, ash plantain and brinjal and a chunk of meat. Again – the Green Cabin Lamprais is pretty popular so make sure you beat the rush!
Colombo’s top home cooked Lamprais
MRS W
0112573908
Vegetarian- Rs430, Chicken- Rs 480, Mixed Meat (Mutton, Chicken, Pork)- Rs540
27/5, Pedris Road, Colombo, Get directions
Mrs W is a name synonymous with Lamprais in Colombo. You have to place your order a day before or you can try your luck and give a call to see if she can give you a frozen packet. Her Lamprais is made with fragrant rice cooked in stock and comes accompanied by two frikadels, blachang, brinjal, ash plantain and your choice of meat. Mrs W’s is as close as you can get to the authentic Lamprais and the portion size is very generous.
LEAF LAMPRAIS
0702318322
Vegetable- Rs400, Chicken- Rs 450, Mixed (Pork, Chicken, Beef)- Rs500
Kandy Road, Kelaniya, Get directions
A homecooked Lamprais you’d have to order ahead and pick up but is worth the effort. The Lamprais comes with bite-sized chicken in a thick spicy curry, ash plantain, two fish cutlets, brinjal, blachang and seeni sambol and a massive serving of rice. You have to place your order 2 days in advance and if the order is five packs and above it will be delivered to you or it must be picked up from Kelaniya.
Colombo’s top places to dine-in
SUGAR BISTRO
011 2 446229 Chicken- Rs800+taxes Crescat Boulevard/ ODEL Promenade, Get directions
If you are dining in at Sugar Bistro be sure to have their Chicken Lamprais which ranges on the more expensive end when it comes to Lamprais. It’s a high-end price that is justified when you get hot, steaming fresh off the oven Lamprais to your table and you are surrounded by a symphony of aromas. The Lamprais comes with ash plantain, brinjal, diced spicy chicken, pol sambol and egg and the rice is cooked with a lot of cloves and cardamom which adds rich flavours.
Sri Lanka Holiday Guru Tip
Make sure you eat it while it’s hot!
If you prefer to have it at the comfort of your own lodging, pop it in the microwave in its banana leaf for a minute.
Use your hands instead of cutlery so you can really mix in all the little elements to get the real taste.
If you want to take a packet or two back to your country home cooks such as Mrs W sells frozen Lamprais which travel safe
