Kolamba x DabbaDrop

DabbaDrop is thrilled to announce their next menu collaboration with Kolamba, one of London's most beloved modern Sri Lankan restaurants. 

Together, they've created a bold, comforting menu rooted in the island's rich home-cooking traditions - a celebration of depth, warmth and spice. 

Available exclusively on the 4,5 & 6 June 2025, the Kolamba x DabbaDrop - A Sri Lankan Feast menu will include: 

Ala Thel Dala (Fried New Potatoes with Caramelised Onion)

Golden potatoes tossed with curry leaves, mustard seed, cardamom and just the right heat from green chillies and red flecks. Smoky, savoury, and satisfyingly rich.

Jackfruit Curry

Young green jackfruit slow-cooked in coconut milk with curry leaves, cinnamon, mustard seed and a soft kiss of lime. Finished with crispy onions for crunch and depth.

Parippu (Tempered Dal)

A creamy red lentil dhal simmered with coconut milk, garlic, and turmeric, finished with a golden onion temper and a touch of warmth from whole chillies.

Cardamom Rice

Fragrant steamed rice infused with whole cardamom pods - light, aromatic, and the perfect base to soak up every last spoonful.

Toasted Pol Sambol 

Especially for this menu, Toasted Pol Sambal will replace the usual Ginger Jam - a dark, toasted coconut relish with mustard seed, curry leaf, lime and black pepper which is smoky, nutty, and packed with umami.

"We're so really proud to partner with Kolamba to share these dishes with you. Recipes that speak of home kitchens, shared tables, and the kind of cooking that's passed down with care. 

"Whether you're discovering Sri Lankan flavours for the first time or diving back into something familiar, we hope this menu brings joy, comfort, and a little fire to your week.'' Renée Williams, co-founder of DabbaDrop told That's Food and Drink.

"We're excited to partner with DabbaDrop, sending our Sri Lankan flavours further and wider than ever before. This limited-edition menu brings together dishes that speak to the heart of our culinary heritage (like Jackfruit Curry and Ala Thel Dala), so whether you've been eating Sri Lankan food for your whole life, or you're new to the cuisine, we hope you'll enjoy them." Eroshan Meewella, co-founder of Kolamba, added.

Founded by Hackney neighbours and busy mums, Anshu Ahuja and Renée Williams, DabbaDrop is a sustainable food delivery brand whose weekly changing menus take customers on a culinary journey across South Asia and beyond. 

Each week they serve nutritious, hearty food in traditional - and reusable - tin ''dabbas'', all delivered by pushbike. As the UK's first zero waste and zero emissions food delivery company, DabbaDrop is pioneering a new - and better - way to takeaway.

Kolamba is the contemporary Sri Lankan restaurant group from founders Eroshan and Aushi Meewella. Kolamba - the locals' name for Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo - brings the rich and diverse flavours of Sri Lankan home cooking to the heart of London. The menu features authentic dishes inspired by traditional recipes, including flavourful curries, aromatic rice dishes, and freshly made roti, all designed for sharing. Kolamba has two locations: the original, on Kingly Street in London's Soho opened in 2019, and a second in London's Spitalfields, known as Kolamba East, opened in August 2024. 

The Kolamba x DabbaDrop - A Sri Lankan Feast menu will be available on 4, 5 & 6 June 2025. Each DabbaDrop feeds two people and costs £30. Orders can be made via the website https://dabbadrop.co.uk/pages/menus-extras?srsltid=AfmBOoo87LnSxl80DrLG_IDWrxON_QYlFPkadTm8UueGvdGv2xxCGyIC

Acclaimed Sri Lankan restaurant launches 5-course tasting menu

Colombo Kitchen, the famed Sri Lankan restaurant in Worcester Park and Putney, London, is launching its inaugural five-course tasting menu, offering a culinary journey reflecting the rich flavour of Sri Lanka. 

This menu, available alongside their a la carte menu, features dishes such as:

Grilled Prawns in Lime and Coconut Salsa served with gotukola: Succulent prawns marinated and grilled to perfection, served with a tangy lime and coconut salsa and gotukola (a Sri Lankan green).

Thali with assorted Curries: A traditional Sri Lankan platter featuring a selection of the restaurant's favorite curries, providing a diverse tasting experience.

Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Biscuit Pudding: A delightful dessert inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate and pistachio combination, reimagined in a traditional Sri Lankan chocolate biscuit pudding.

This tasting menu is a testament to the culinary expertise of their Executive Chef Sylvia Perera, who was honored as National Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2024. Additionally, the restaurant's renowned lamprais received a prestigious 2-star Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Food in 2024.

Chef Perera took inspiration from her coastal upbringing in Negombo, where she would buy the freshest seafood from local fishermen, an experience affectionately known as "Lellama,". 

Chef Sylvia says “This menu evokes cherished memories of growing up in Negombo - a town celebrated for its seafood. During my time there, I developed a deep understanding of how delicately seafood should be handled and honed in the skill of selecting the best seafood and preparing them to perfection.” 

Colombo Kitchen's new tasting menu offers an opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Sri Lankan flavours, skilfully crafted by an award-winning chef. Available in both branches in Worcester Park and Putney, throughout the week with three days advance notice. Book online at www.colombokitchen.co.uk.

Coconut Tree Sri Lankan restaurant share vegan recipes for Veganuary

The Coconut Tree, the vibrant Independent Sri Lankan restaurant group with nine sites throughout the UK has lots of options for Vegans this Veganuary, including some delicious new recipes that you can even try making yourself at home.

And here are two of them:

Beetroot Mallum 

Difficulty: easy 

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Cook time: 30 minutes 

Serves: 

4  

This shredded salad-style dish is naturally vegan and promises a simple yet delicious at-home foray into some uniquely Sri Lankan flavours. The preparation is easy to follow, and the combination of spices makes this lightly-sauteed dish a standout. It’s a versatile addition to any recipe stack – try it for lunch, dinner, or even a savoury breakfast for something different. 

Ingredients 

50ml coconut oil  

500g beetroot, freshly grated 

1 large onion finely sliced 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

6 fresh curry leaves 

1 fresh chilli, finely chopped 

Spices 

1/2 cinnamon stick 

1 tsp chilli flakes 

1 tsp curry powder 

1/2 tsp fenugreek 

1 tsp salt 

1/3 tsp turmeric 

1/2 tsp chilli powder 

Method 

Place a large saucepan on a medium heat and add coconut oil. 

Add the curry leaves, fresh chillies, onion and garlic to your pot. Fry for 2 minutes. 

Bring those spices into the mix; add each one to the pan and cook for a further 3 minutes. 

Add the beetroot, mix well and let simmer for 25 minutes. Serve and enjoy! 

Tempered Pineapple 

Difficulty: easy 

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Cook time: 30 minutes 

Serves: 4 

Description: This Sri Lankan spiced pineapple is as easy as it is delicious – it’s the perfect dish to whip up if you’re short of time or have some spare pineapple to make use of. The savoury style of the dish brings a fresh perspective to this popular fruit and makes it a must try for those looking to explore Sri Lankan cuisine at home.  

Ingredients 

1 medium pineapple, chopped  

1 medium onion, sliced 

2 cloves of garlic, minced 

1-inch of ginger, chopped 

10 fresh curry leaves 

1 fresh chilli finely chopped 

3 tbsp coconut oil 

Spices 

1/2 cinnamon stick 

1 tsp chilli flakes 

1 tsp salt 

1/3 tsp turmeric 

1/2 mustard seed 

Method 

Place your pot on a medium heat and add the coconut oil. 

Fry the mustard seed, curry leaves, fresh chillies, onion, ginger and garlic for 2 minutes. 

Add the chili flakes and cinnamon. Cook for a further 2 minutes. 

Finally, add the pineapple, turmeric and salt. Mix well and cook for 25 minutes, then serve and enjoy! 

You can learn more about The Coconut Tree here https://www.thecoconut-tree.com.

You will find their restaurants at: Bath, Birmingham, Bristol Clifton Triangle, Bristol Glos. Road, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Oxford and Reading.