Colombo: Sri Lankan Cooking Class & Hands-On Lunch

Summary

Sri lankan recipes hands-on class colombo with local hosts

You’ll walk straight into a local Colombo kitchen and cook side by side with Sri Lankans — learning ten real recipes from scratch. Expect laughter over spice mixes, hands-on help from your host, and a meal you’ll remember every time you smell curry leaves back home.

What’s the experience like?

Walked into the kitchen in Colombo still shaking off tuk-tuk fumes and the city’s heat. Our host, Priya, just smiled and handed me a cup of sweet milky tea — I think she could tell I was nervous about chopping onions in front of strangers. There were six of us, all a bit awkward at first, but that faded once we started handling spices. The smell of toasted cumin and curry leaves hit fast — it’s wild how different fresh spices are here compared to back home.

We cooked everything together, ten dishes in total (I lost count after the third). Chicken curry was up first — Priya showed us how to cut the meat small and mix it with this deep red masala. She kept saying “more chili?” and grinned every time someone coughed from the heat. There was a moment where I tried to say “pol sambol” properly; she laughed so hard I nearly dropped my spoon. The kitchen was noisy, everyone talking over each other, but somehow it felt easy.

I didn’t expect to like making dessert — coconut pancakes with jaggery — but honestly, rolling them up while chatting about cricket scores on TV just felt right. By lunch (it could be dinner too, they’re flexible), we sat down together and ate what we’d made. It tasted… different because we’d cooked it ourselves, you know? Still think about that first bite of rice and curry, with my hands smelling like cardamom for hours after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traditional Sri Lankan cooking class

• Arrive at Colombo cooking class
• Attend hands-on cooking lesson
• Learn to prepare 10 dishes
• Cook chicken curry in clay pot
• Make traditional desserts

Top questions

How many dishes do you make in the Colombo cooking class?

You’ll prepare ten different Sri Lankan dishes plus traditional desserts during the class.

Is the cooking class in Colombo suitable for beginners?

Yes, everyone is welcome — no experience needed. The host guides you through each step.

What time does the Colombo cooking class start?

Lunch sessions start at 10am and dinner at 4pm; timings can be adjusted if needed.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible for this cooking class.

Are infants or small children allowed at the cooking class?

Yes, infants can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

Do you get to eat what you cook during the class?

Yes, after cooking together everyone sits down to enjoy the meal they’ve prepared.

Where is the cooking class located in Colombo?

The class takes place at a local kitchen in Colombo city itself.

What’s included

Your day includes a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking lesson preparing ten dishes plus dessert, all ingredients provided, flexible lunch or dinner session times to fit your schedule, full accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers, and a shared meal at the end with your local host before heading out into Colombo again.