Sri Lanka best watalappan dessert - where to try authentic?
3 Answers from travellers
Watalappan is a Malay/Muslim-Sri Lankan coconut jaggery custard - steamed, with cardamom and cashews. Real watalappan at: (1) Sunday afternoon at Buhary Hotel Kollupitiya (Muslim family restaurant). (2) Nawaloka Meals (multiple locations, canteen setting). (3) Any Muslim home during Ramadan iftar (invitations welcomed - ask around). (4) Kaema Sutra (Colombo - elevated restaurant version). (5) Ministry of Crab desserts include a version. Best home-cooking-style at Buhary or Nawaloka. Restaurant elevated at Kaema Sutra. Learn to make it at Sri Lankan cooking classes.
Also: Sri Lankan Muslim wedding menus feature watalappan - if you're invited to one, don't skip. Home cooks make individual pot versions. Restaurants make sheet-cake style then cut. Both authentic. Kithul jaggery (palmyra sugar) is the traditional sweetener - not brown sugar.
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