With tables piled high with rice, curries, seafood, and desserts, Sri Lankan buffets offer a magnificent feast. However, they are an experience rather than merely a feast. Buffets have their own set of rules, some of which are verbal and some of which are intuitive. Knowing these unwritten rules can make the difference between buffet glory and buffet embarrassment, regardless of your level of experience. Every Sri Lankan either happily disregards or swears by these ten rules.
1. Always Scan the Entire Spread First
Do yourself a favor and take a quick look around the buffet before you grab a dish and start eating. Knowing exactly what is available can help you plan your attack. You're setting yourself up for heartache if you start stuffing yourself with bread and rice without realizing that there will be crab curry and devilled prawns later. A well-thought-out plan guarantees that no delectable food is overlooked.
2. Don’t Waste Food
The rule is simple: eat what you take, and take what you can eat. Food waste is the biggest buffet sin, whether it's because of your mother's voice in your brain or your extended family's watchful gaze. Just enough should be added to ensure that you're content but not overburdened. Keep in mind that you can always return for more. A plate of uneaten food left on the table is something that nobody wants to see.
3. Avoid the Filler Trap
Noodles, bread, and rice are the buffet table's cunning villains. Although they are reassuring, they occupy far too much room on your plate and in your stomach. You won't have room for the good stuff, such as meats, fish, and rich curries, if you consume too many carbohydrates too soon. Save the carbs for last (or don't eat them at all) and focus on the delicacies that make a buffet special.
4. Have a Dessert Plan
After you complete your last plate of curry, you may believe that you are done, but champions are created at the dessert table. Make room for these delicious treats, whether they be falooda, kokis, or wattalappam. Finding out you're too full to eat dessert is the worst feeling in the world. Be mindful of how much you eat and always leave room for that last sugary treat.
5. Don’t Pile Your Plate Like a Mountain
It’s tempting to load up your plate with everything in sight, but a buffet is not a race. Overloading your plate makes you look like you’re building a food fortress, and it rarely ends well. Instead, take smaller portions and go for multiple rounds. You’ll enjoy each dish more, and you’ll avoid the risk of dropping a precariously balanced piece of chicken on the floor.
Conclusion
Sri Lankan buffets are not just meals, they’re a cultural experience filled with flavor, strategy, and a little chaos. Follow these commandments and you’ll not only survive but thrive. And if you want to skip the waiting game and secure your spot hassle-free, use RUSH by appiGo to book ahead. Here’s to full plates, happy stomachs, and zero regrets!
