Street food safety in Pettah market for foreigners
5 Answers from travellers
Hot, deep-fried food is your safest option. Samosas or Isso Vade dropped into boiling oil in front of you are perfectly safe because the heat kills bacteria. However, avoid Achcharu (pickled raw fruit) sold on the street. The water used to wash the fruit or the bowls is often untreated tap water, which will likely upset a foreigner's stomach.
Never drink tap water from the metal cups at the small food stalls. Always buy sealed bottled water.
The Bombay Sweet shops on Main Street are very clean and safe if you want a sugary snack.
Look for stalls with long lines of locals. High turnover means the food is fresh.
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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