Ingredient appreciation — what makes Watalappam special

What sets Watalappam apart is the handling of Ceylon cinnamon. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the tangy from goraka and tamarind result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Maldive fish is a uniquely Sri Lankan ingredient with no close equivalent elsewhere. The a Colombo rice and curry lunch atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had king coconut water as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Watalappam is the place to start.