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Local food map
Kandy (Sri Lanka)
Hotels in area
Main course
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
320kcal
7gProtein
68gCarbs
2gFat
4gFibre
250 gServing
* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.
Ambula
How to order / say it
Say it
ඇඹුල — [ahm-boo-lah]
Order
Can I have the Ambula?
Locally
මට ඇඹුල වෙන්කොට දෙන්න.
Say locally
A tangy rice meal featuring native spices and tamarind.
Why try it?
Ambula showcases Kandy's regional affinity for sour and spicy combinations, speaking to the area's creative use of local ingredients.
How it tastes
The dish is intensely sour, often balanced with spices such as cumin and mustard seeds, delivering a burst of flavors.
Origin & History — first documented: 1900
Ambula has historical roots in Kandy as a traditional farmers' meal, gaining popularity in households for its unique sour profile since the early 20th century.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 200 g rice
- 🍋 50 g tamarind
- 🧂 10 g mustard seeds
- 🧂 10 g cumin seeds
- 🥕 2 green chili
- 🧂 to taste salt
Method
- 1 Boil rice until cooked.
- 2 Prepare tamarind pulp by soaking in water.
- 3 Mix tamarind pulp with spices and add to rice.
- 4 Simmer until flavors infuse completely.
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