Shopping guide
Sri Lankan Ingredients in Canada
Canada, and Toronto in particular, has one of the largest Sri Lankan Tamil populations outside the island, so authentic ingredients are abundant in the GTA and most major cities. Online delivery fills the gaps elsewhere.
Where to Buy Each Ingredient
A pantry-by-pantry guide to tracking down the building blocks of authentic Ceylon cooking in Canada, plus the everyday swaps that keep the flavour close when the real thing isn't to hand.
Coconut milk
Loblaws, Metro, No Frills and every Asian grocer stock full-fat tinned coconut milk. For frozen fresh coconut milk, visit a Sri Lankan grocer in Scarborough or your local Tamil shop.
Curry leaves
Fresh curry leaves are everywhere in Tamil and South Indian grocers in the GTA. Buy in bulk and freeze; they survive Canadian winters in the freezer beautifully.
Goraka
Toronto's Sri Lankan grocers stock dried goraka. Tamarind (sold everywhere) is the everyday substitute for the sour edge in fish and ambul thiyal.
Maldive fish
Easy to find at Sri Lankan grocers in Scarborough and Markham. Keep it frozen. Dried shrimp powder is the backup for sambols.
Pandan (rampe)
Frozen pandan leaves are at most Asian and Sri Lankan grocers. Add a knotted leaf to rice and watalappam for that unmistakable island aroma.
Sri Lankan curry powder
MD, Larich and similar brands are stocked by Tamil grocers across the GTA. Skip generic curry powder; roast your own or buy the proper Sri Lankan dark blend.
Red rice and nadu rice
Sri Lankan red raw rice and nadu rice are widely sold in Tamil grocers. A red cargo rice or parboiled long-grain is the closest mainstream substitute.
Jaggery and kithul treacle
Sri Lankan shops carry kithul treacle and jaggery for watalappam. Dark muscovado or grade-B maple syrup can stand in for the treacle in a pinch.
Free: 5 Sri Lankan Recipes for Beginners
Dhal curry, pol sambol, yellow rice and the pantry checklist.