Colombo’s Flavour Bomb at Colombo Foodies Noosa
Exciting street food from Colombo promises to pack a big flavour punch by the Noosa River, says Helen Flanagan.
Relish the thought and ensure taste buds are ready to dance – Udee Suradasa is bringing Sri Lankan street food to Noosa!
Like her mother, Udee was born in the capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo, living there until 11 years old when she moved to a coastal area. It’s the influence and flavours of her experiences that she now presents to the palates of Noosa diners.
Colombo Foodies Noosa on Gympie Terrace (opposite the big Pelican) promises to be a bijou venue offering an intimate experience whilst melding the sublime flavours of the island paradise with genuine Sri Lankan hospitality.
Naturally, herbs and spices are ground each day to maintain freshness with authentic blends of curry leaves, pandan leaves, goraka, rampe, cinnamon, roasted curry powder and hand-pounded chilli flakes are melded with key ingredients such as coconut milk, Maldive fish, lemongrass and tamarind, as the backbone to maximise flavours.
Expect famous street foods on the menu such as Kottu – a punchy flavourfilled stir-fry of shredded roti, vegetables, spices, chicken curry and cooked on a hot griddle. Pan Roll with tamarind sauce is a favourite snack with crispy onion on the outside and a soft savoury mix inside, deep-fried until golden brown.
Udee’s signature dish is a creamy Mustard Pumpkin Curry with crispy onion, dry chilli and curry leaves, served with aromatic Sri Lankan rice and coconut sambal; recipes for classic Black Pork Curry and Beef Rendang have been passed down through generations; and Jaffna curries typically use crab broken into smaller portions and simmered with coconut milk, curry leaves and eaten with sambal and rice.
Whole fish is a north Sri Lankan delicacy Jaffna-style marinated Whole Local Reef Fish wrapped in a banana leaf, grilled and served with Jaffna-style curry sauce and coconut sambal.
Godamba Roti is stretched with patience and care the old fashioned way and is mouth-watering!
Fresh local produce is delivered daily,similarly Mooloolaba’s Rockliff Wholesale, the primary seafood supplier. And keep an eye out for limited stocks of premium live mud crabs in-season for Udee’s signature crab curry.
Well-known local fisho Dave will drop in with the freshest and best. Look out for his daily catch on the specials’ board.
At 19, besotted by her Aunt Queshi’s brilliant home-cooked fare, Udee moved to Australia, trained as a chef and worked in numerous restaurants including in Brisbane where her Colombo Foodies catering business and restaurant garnered a loyal following.
Today, her heart is filled with love for the Noosa River location and Colombo street food with its overdose of Sri Lankan richness and flavours that wil leave you craving for more.
Adding more big smiles will be Udee’s three daughters. Minoshee, her oldest is business savvy and mad about cocktails. She’ll introduce an original cocktail list inspired by a recent visit to Sri Lanka at Colombar, the drinks part of Colombo Foodies Noosa. Lick your lips for Minoshee’s popular Colombo Tropical Sour with pomegranate, or a Spicy Margarita with chilli pineapple.
Second daughter, Dulani, is also passionate about exceptional service.
“She’s well known by locals and is a bubbly young lady,” Udee says. “Third daughter, Keshia, has followed in both sister’s footsteps adding enthusiasm and energy to the team. I’m blessed with strong women with patience and resilience who love to serve.”
The exquisite food of Sri Lanka has its own distinctive flavours and combinations that stand on their own. The combination of spices and flavours that make it so unique and different from any other Asian country.
Be transported to the tropical flavours of Sri Lanka and enjoy a slice of paradise at Colombo Foodies Noosa.
TASTE COLOMBO!
Colombo Foodies Noosa and Colombar.
Shop 2, 185 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. Fully licensed. Open for dine in and takeaway, 11am-late for lunch, dinner, drinks at the Colombar.
For bookings, opening hours, menus including takeaway, wine list, cocktails and more, visit www.colombofoodiesnoosa.com.au or keep an eye on social media for special offers.
