Finding authentic Odiyal Kool seafood soup before local Jaffna festivals

Odiyal Kool is a heavily complex dish made with crab, prawns, cuttlefish, and a unique thickening flour made from Palmyra palm tubers (Odiyal). Because it takes hours to prepare, normal restaurants do not serve it to walk-in customers. You must pre-order it at least 24 hours in advance at places like Cosy Restaurant or Mangoes in Jaffna. Finding a local family is even better, as it is traditionally a communal festival meal.