Pettah market street food hygiene and avoiding tourist markups
3 Answers from travellers
Achcharu (pickled fruit) is delicious but highly acidic and spicy. Eat from carts that have high local turnover. Avoid carts where the fruit looks dry or has been sitting in the sun all day. To avoid markups, hand them a 100 LKR note and point to what you want; do not ask "how much" first.
If you have a weak stomach, stick to hot, freshly deep-fried items rather than raw pickled fruits.
The bombay sweets and isso vade (prawn fritters) down by Galle Face Green are much safer and clearer on pricing than the deep alleys of Pettah.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
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