Sri Lankan String Hoppers: How to Eat, Curries, and Funny Stories

String Hoppers, locally known as Idiyappam, are a light and fluffy Sri Lankan staple made from rice flour. They look like small nests of thin noodles, carefully steamed to perfection. Unlike boiled noodles, these are steamed, making them soft, airy, and perfect for soaking up curries.

How to Eat String Hoppers (The Fun Way)

Eating string hoppers is more than just a meal — it’s an experience:

• Place a few hoppers on your plate.
• Pour coconut curry, dhal, or meat curry over them.
• Use your fingers (yes, fingers are the secret tool) to mix everything well.
• Roll it into a small ball and enjoy the burst of flavors.

Pro Tip: Sri Lankans always say food tastes better when eaten with fingers, and string hoppers prove it true!

The Best Curries with String Hoppers

The beauty of string hoppers is that they can be paired with almost anything. Here are the favorites:

• 🥥 Coconut milk curry (Kiri Hodi) – mild, creamy, and traditional.
• 🍛 Dhal curry (Parippu) – soft red lentils spiced and cooked in coconut milk.
• 🍗 Chicken curry – rich, spicy, and deeply flavorful.
• 🐟 Fish curry – tangy and fiery, a coastal favorite.
• 🥗 Pol Sambol – coconut sambol mixed with chili, lime, and onion.

How String Hoppers Are Made

Making string hoppers is a beautiful art:

1. Rice flour dough is prepared with hot water and salt.
2. The dough is pressed through a string hopper press to form noodle-like strands.
3. These strands are laid into little round nests on small wicker mats.
4. Finally, the nests are steamed for 5–7 minutes until soft and fluffy.

It’s simple yet skillful. A steady hand ensures the hoppers don’t break — otherwise, you’ll end up with hopper “scraps.” 😅

Funny Things About String Hoppers

• Kids often call them “spider webs” or “white noodles.” 🕸️
• Families sometimes joke about building a “string hopper mountain” if you pile them too high.
• Mixing them with curry using fingers can turn into a friendly breakfast competition.
• Some Sri Lankans jokingly call them “Wi-Fi cables for the stomach” — because mornings don’t feel connected without them! 📶🍴

Final Bite

Sri Lankan String Hoppers are more than food — they’re a cultural tradition, a family breakfast, and a dish full of memories. Whether you eat them with spicy fish curry, creamy dhal, or just coconut gravy, one thing is certain: no Sri Lankan morning is complete without string hoppers.