Taste of Lanka is perhaps the only Sri Lankan restaurant in Dhaka. While we may think their food is similar to Bangladeshi cuisine, there is a world of difference, especially in the use of spices and chilis. After all, Sri Lanka is famous for their spices.
The restaurant also gives the Srilankan community a sense of belonging as the only representation of Sri Lankan cuisine. "We're the go-to restaurant for the Sri Lankan community, but the locals have grown fond of our cuisine," says Riffat Gurunge, the managing director.
Food
Their starter of egg hoppers is a pancake bowl produced with fermented rice and coconut milk batter thrown over it to cover the pan; you peel off the clear paper-thin crisp bowl and off the egg to make for a nibble. However, the egg hopper experience is not complete till you slather it with all three of their traditional Sinhalese homemade sambols (relish); seeni sambol,cCoconut sambol, and chilli sambol before putting it in your mouth.
Their coconut sambol, prepared with dried red chilies, onions, and lime, has a strong coconut flavor. Their chilli Sambol prepared with dried fish, red onion, and lime juice is the ideal quantity of a fiery star condiment, and your tastebuds will thank you.
The devilled prawns are placed on a platter with vivid reds, yellows, and greens that draw your attention to the dish's sumptuous primary protein. Despite being properly marinated in malt vinegar, red pepper, chilli paste, tomato sauce, and ginger, the freshness of the prawns is what will make you love this dish, culminating in a magnificent sauce prepared with capsicum, onions, and tomatoes.
The bright dramatic devil dance, also known as the Yakun Natima, is represented in the myriad colors of the devilled sauces, making it a celebration of Sinhalese culture as well as a gastronomic wonder.
Their beef kottu consists of minced beef, grilled veggies, fried onions, and eggs atop roti (bread) ribbons. With the addition of a sauce, their secret ingredient, dried fish, improves the dish, making each bite intriguing and delectable.
The mix of their string hopper and potato curry will quickly win you over.
Their vivid mustard-yellow potato curry, made with light coconut milk, potatoes, lime curry leaves, and mustard, complements their string hoppers, which are formed from rice flour squeezed into noodles and are finger-licking good when paired with the gravied potato curry.
Their Eggplant Moju is a mash of fried eggplant slices, shallots, and green chillies pickled in mustard vinegar; it's a zesty pleasure on the tongue that pairs beautifully with their flavoured yellow rice.
The black pepper chicken curry, a delectable concoction of coconut milk, chicken, tomato, cinnamon, and curry leaves, will fill your heart with love.
When eating the curries with the string hopper and their flavored rice. We recommend that you get your hands dirty. The only way to eat curry is with your hands.
Their Faluda is a cool summer beverage consisting of strawberry jello, chia seeds, rose syrup, and noodles.
A meal at Taste of Lanka costs between Tk1450 and Tk1700.
Ambience
When you walk through Taste of Lanka's black glass door, you will be met by a lion and a beautiful maroon gold background, both of which are Sinhalese icons.
A large canvas with a predominance of green and yellow showing the "Devil dance," also known as the Yakin Natima, is guaranteed to capture your eye among the numerous carefully selected pieces of art.
The soothing light of the candles that are lit each night adds to the tranquil ambience.
Challenges
The Holey Artisan Bakery attack in the same year led the seven-year-old restaurant to reconsider its marketing strategy, which had previously focused on overseas consumers due to concerns that locals would not embrace Sri Lankan food enthusiastically.
"We had a loyal international customer base, but the attack changed that," Riffat Gurunge explained.
After the Covid-19 outbreak struck in March 2020, deliveries proved to be a true lifeline for them, as they received a tremendous reaction.
"Deliveries work really well for us; we've had people ordering from us on Foodpanda on a regular basis since the pandemic. We are also in the process of increasing our prices due to the rising cost of ingredients, but we are not sure about how customers will react,” Gurunge added.
Verdict
Taste of Lanka is the place to go if you want to try Sri Lankan food without having to pay for an airline ticket.
Their string hopper is delicious, as is their potato and chicken curry and their sambols are a must.
Given the pleasant ambience and the quality of food, we highly recommend you visit this family-friendly restaurant.