Vegan Food Guide for Sri Lanka Local & Street Food

Find plant-based local specialties, learn key phrases, and get tips for vegan dining.

Local Foods

Cities

Filtered results are based on automated analysis of common food data. This is for general guidance only. Ingredient variations, preparation methods, cross-contamination risks, and data accuracy can differ significantly. Always verify all information directly with vendors before consumption, especially for allergies or strict dietary needs. See full disclaimers for filtered results.

While many Thai dishes can be made vegan, fish sauce and shrimp paste are very common. Be specific about excluding all animal products.

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Essential Phrases

I am vegan

මම සම්පූර්ණ ශාකාහාරයි

mama sampoorṇa shakaharayi

Indicates strict vegan diet

No animal products, eggs, or dairy

සත්ව නිෂ්පාදන, බිත්තර, හෝ කිරි නැතුව

sathva nishpadana, biththara, ho kiri naethuwa

Specifies no animal products including eggs and dairy

Watch Out For

Ghee (clarified butter)
Milk in tea
Maldive fish flakes
Honey in desserts

Safe Options

Kola kanda (green herbal porridge, without milk)
Polos curry (young jackfruit)
Vegetable rice and curry (specify vegan)
Pol sambol (coconut relish, without Maldive fish)

Important Notice

Sri Lankan cuisine often uses coconut milk instead of dairy, making many dishes potentially vegan-friendly, but Maldive fish and ghee are common hidden ingredients. Specify 'no Maldive fish' when ordering.