{"id":7110,"date":"2023-05-18T11:39:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T10:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=7110"},"modified":"2025-04-29T13:50:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T12:50:39","slug":"sri-lankan-hoppers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/sri-lankan-hoppers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to Sri Lankan Hoppers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;23146&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sri Lankan cuisine is fresh, colourful and full of flavour, with a focus on creamy coconut and gently spiced cinnamon. Dishes are typically served with various wholesome starches that soak up the delicious sauce and juices of the meal. One particularly simple starch that\u2019s enjoyed by locals and visitors alike is the hopper. \u00a0Here, we\u2019ll provide you with everything you need to know about the delicious Sri Lankan Hopper. We\u2019ll also give you tips for making the best hoppers at home.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>What are Sri Lankan Hoppers?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two types of hoppers commonly served in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sri Lanka<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Standard hoppers resemble thin, bowl-shaped crispy <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/6-best-pancakes-in-asia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asian pancakes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They usually<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> containing either Samboul ( a Sri Lankan coconut condiment) or often, a gently cooked egg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">String hoppers are nests of noodle-like dough and are a Sri Lankan breakfast staple. Common accompaniments include curries, curd (fresh buffalo yoghurt), chutneys and palm syrup known as \u2018trickle\u2019. They are healthy and comforting, and their versatility means they can be enjoyed with any meal or even as a snack.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Types of Hoppers and When to Eat Them in Sri Lanka<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The versatility of hoppers means there are many different types to be discovered at various times throughout the day. The most common time to find this staple being enjoyed is at the breakfast table, however, their appeal extends beyond the morning hours. Some of the most popular Sri Lankan hoppers include:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=&#8221;16047&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Plain Hoppers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plain hopper is a simple pancake that has been cooked into a bowl shape. Plain hoppers are typically eaten at breakfast and are served with a variety of accompaniments, like coconut sambol, lunu miris (a spicy onion relish), or dhal (lentil curry). They can also be enjoyed with a dollop of curd (yoghurt) and treacle for a sweet twist.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>String Hoppers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">String hoppers are delicate, thin noodles that are made from rice flour and steamed to perfection. They are a popular choice for breakfast and dinner alike. In the morning, they might be served with kiri hodi (coconut milk gravy) or a mild curry. They can be enjoyed for dinner with more hearty curries like chicken, fish, or beef.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Egg Hoppers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most popular types of hopper is the egg hopper.\u00a0 They are made by adding an egg to the centre of a plain hopper, creating a delicious combination of flavours. These are often enjoyed for breakfast or as a filling snack during the day. The yolk can be runny or fully cooked, depending on preference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;22336&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\r\n<h3><b>Honey Hoppers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honey hoppers are a sweeter variation of the traditional hopper. The sweetness is achieved by adding a touch of kithul treacle (palm syrup) to the centre of the plain hopper while cooking. These are popular as a dessert or a sweet treat in the afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=&#8221;23146&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This simple recipe for pancake-style hoppers is a fantastic introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine and is certain to wow your friends and family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation time: 15-20 minutes<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serves: 4 people<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Ingredients:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">375g rice flour<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teaspoon full of yeast<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 tbsp of sugar<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">salt<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 cans of coconut milk<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optional: onion or tomato chutney<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Method:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pour the rice flour into a bowl with a pinch of salt.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In a separate measuring jug, mix the yeast with sugar in 50 ml of lukewarm water. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes to cultivate and then add the yeast mixture into the bowl of flour, stirring until evenly spread throughout.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Add the first can of coconut milk and mix, then add a second can \u2013 only until you get a batter-like consistency, (similar to if you were making pancakes.)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pour one spoonful of the mixture onto a wok over medium heat and spread around; use a little oil if you need to stop it from sticking but don\u2019t use too much. Add one egg into the middle of the hopper. Put on a lid and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Serve on a plate and add optional chutneys. In Sri Lanka, you would usually put Sambol on top but chutney is an easier alternative if you\u2019re based in the UK.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<h2><strong>How to Eat Sri Lankan Hoppers<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:post-content --><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Sri Lankan culture, it is common to eat with your hands, and hoppers are no exception to this rule. To eat string hoppers, you should mix a small amount into the curry or Sambol before eating. Standard hoppers are much simpler to eat due to their convenient shape, which means they can be filled and rolled up before being eaten. It is important to remember that Sri Lankans use only their right hand for food, while the left hand is used for holding the plate and cleaning. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n<h2><strong>Experience Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\r\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph -->Whilst this recipe is a great introduction to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/delicious-and-overlooked-sri-lankas-classic-dishes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sri Lankan cuisine<\/a>, it\u2019s simply impossible to beat hoppers prepared by the local vendors in the bustling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/best-things-to-do-in-ella-sri-lanka\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">streets of Ella<\/a>. Have a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sri Lanka holiday ideas<\/a> for more inspiration.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph -->All our holidays are tailor-made by our country experts, so if you want to get a personalised itinerary or just some more ideas, do call us on  <span class=\"InfinityNumber clickable \">020 7924 7133<\/span>\r\n \t. Our specialists are very happy to help \u2013 no matter where you\u2019re at with your holiday planning. There are no obligations to book and you don\u2019t have to pay a penny until you are completely sure that you\u2019ve found your perfect holiday.<\/p>\r\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- start of ETG Country Guide CTA --> <style type='text\/css'>.country-dnload{margin:100px auto;max-width:1180px;background:#f7f4ee;width:100%;display:flex;flex-direction:row;justify-content:space-evenly}.cdnload-cutout{width:37%;max-width:320px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-color:#f8f4ee;padding:30px;float:none;margin:0;position:relative}#main .country-dnload .cdnload-cutout :first-child,.country-dnload .cdnload-cutout img{margin-bottom:-100px;margin-top:-90px!important}.country-dnload .cdnload-info{width:63%;padding:40px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-wrap:nowrap;align-content:center;justify-content:center;align-items:center}.country-dnload .cdnload-info h3{margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:20px;text-align:center;font-size:23px;font-weight:600}.country-dnload .cdnload-info p{color:#051d3d;text-align:center;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;margin-bottom:40px}.clear-button.gold{border:2px solid #b19657;color:#b19657;font-weight:600;max-width:initial;display:inline-block;padding:10px 20px}.clear-button.gold:hover{text-decoration:none;background:#b19657;color:#fff}.cdnload-info a.clear-button.gold{line-height:1em;padding:15px 20px 15px;width:auto}@media (max-width:767px){.cdnload-cutout,.cdnload-info,.country-dnload .cdnload-info{width:100%!important}.country-dnload{flex-direction:column;margin:120px 0 50px}.cdnload-cutout{align-items:flex-start}.cdnload-cutout img{width:100%;margin-bottom:-50px!important}.cdnload-info h3{font-size:20px}}<\/style>\n        <div class='country-dnload'>\n            <a class='cdnload-cutout' href='https:\/\/info.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka-travel-guide'>\n                <img src='\/static_files\/new23\/guides\/SriLanka-Country-Dnload_lowres.png' alt='Travel Guide to Sri Lanka'>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class='cdnload-info'>\n                <h3>CURIOUS TRAVELLER'S GUIDE TO SRI LANKA<\/h3>\n                <p>\n        Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller\u2019s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.\n        <\/p>\n                <a href='https:\/\/info.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka-travel-guide' class='clear-button gold'>DOWNLOAD NOW<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- start of ETG Country Guide CTA --> \n        <\/p>\r\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sri Lankan hoppers are an ideal accompaniment for sambol, chutney, curries &#038; egg. Find out more about these authentic starch staples &#038; how to make them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":7116,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[88],"coauthors":[1433],"class_list":["post-7110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sri-lanka","tag-food-and-drink"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":10894,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7110"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7110\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7110"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=7110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}