If you stay inside your hotel resort, you will eat a sanitized version of Sri Lanka. But if you want to taste the real island, you need to cross the bridge. Just 5 minutes from Bentota lies the bustling town of Aluthgama. Every Monday, the massive "Pola" (Weekly Market) takes over, but the street food stalls are open every day. It is loud, colorful, and smells of roasted spices and frying oil. For a traveler, it can be overwhelming. What is that red stuff? Is that spicy? How do you eat it? Don't worry. Here is your cheat sheet to the Top 10 Street Foods you must try in Aluthgama.

Hoppers (Appa)

These are bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They are crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. You must try an "Egg Hopper" (with a fried egg in the center). To eat it, break off the crispy edges and dip them in the spicy "Lunu Miris" (onion and chili paste).

Kottu Roti

You will hear this dish before you see it. Chefs use two metal blades to rhythmically chop vegetables, eggs, chicken, and Godamba Roti on a hot metal plate. It tastes like a spicy, chopped-up burrito stir-fry. It is ideally eaten for dinner.

Parippu Wade (Lentil Fritters)

These are small, crunchy, deep-fried discs made from lentils (dhal), onions, and curry leaves. You will often see vendors selling these on the trains or beaches. They are the perfect salty snack to go with a cold beer or soda.

Vegetable Roti (Elavalu Roti)

A soft flatbread folded into a triangle and stuffed with a spicy potato and vegetable filling. They are cheap, filling, and easy to eat on the go. Be aware that if the shape is a "Roll" (cylinder), it usually contains fish. If it's a triangle, it's usually vegetarian.

String Hoppers (Idiyappam)

Unlike regular hoppers, these are steamed noodle nests made from rice flour. They are usually served for breakfast or dinner with potato curry and coconut sambol. They are soft and not spicy at all (unless you add the sambol!).

Achcharu (Pickles)

Look for the carts with colorful jars. Achcharu is fruit (mango, pineapple, ambarella, or woodapple) pickled in vinegar, chili, and sugar. It hits every taste bud at once: Sweet, Sour, Salty, and Spicy.

Saravita

Walking along the Aluthgama beach road at night, you will see men selling glowing, neon-green packets. This is shredded coconut dyed green, wrapped in a betel leaf with sweet spices like fennel and cardamom. It’s a digestif and a breath freshener.

Isso Wade (Prawn Fritters)

These look like the lentil fritters, but they have two or three whole prawns (with the shell and head) pressed into the top. They are crunchy, savory, and rich in umami flavor.

Thambili (King Coconut)

You can't walk 100 meters without seeing the bright orange coconuts. The vendor will chop the top off with a machete and give you a straw. The water is full of electrolytes, nature's Gatorade.

Woodapple Juice

It looks like a moldy cricket ball on the outside, but inside is a dark brown pulp. When blended with coconut milk and sugar, it makes a thick, sweet-and-sour smoothie. It’s an acquired taste, but locals love it.

A Note on Hygiene: "Is it Safe?"

This is the big question for tourists.

• Rule 1: Eat where the locals eat. If the food is moving fast, it’s fresh.
• Rule 2: Stick to "hot" food (Kottu, Hoppers) that is cooked right in front of you. The heat kills bacteria.
• Rule 3: Avoid tap water and ice in street stalls. Stick to bottled water or Thambili.

The Gentle Option If you have a sensitive stomach but still want to try these flavors, many hotels and restaurants in Bentota serve hygienic versions of Hoppers, String Hoppers, and Roti. You get the culture without the worry.