Kottu roti
In its own language: කොත්තු රොටි
Sri Lankan street dish of chopped roti stir-fried with meat, egg, vegetables and spices
Kottu roti is a popular Sri Lankan dish made by chopping flatbread (godamba roti) and stir-frying it with meat curry, egg, onions, and chillies. Originating in the eastern towns of Batticaloa and Trincomalee, it is a staple street food enjoyed hot, with many variations including vegetarian and different meats.
- Invented in eastern Sri Lanka in the 1960s or 1970s
- Made by chopping and stir-frying godamba roti with meat, egg, and vegetables
- The name comes from the Tamil word for 'chop'
- Distinctive for its rhythmic chopping sound during preparation
- A version with parotta bread is popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
What is Kottu roti?
Kottu roti is a dish where flatbread, called godamba roti, is cut into strips and stir-fried with a mix of meat curry, eggs, onions, chillies, and spices. The bread pieces are pounded and mixed on a hot griddle, creating a rhythmic sound. Depending on the cook, it may include beef, chicken, mutton, fish, or just vegetables and egg. The result is a hot, savory, and spicy mix with chewy bread, crisp vegetables, and tender meat or egg.
Where does Kottu roti come from?
Kottu roti comes from the eastern regions of Sri Lanka, especially Batticaloa and Trincomalee, and was first made by the Sri Lankan Moor community. It began as an affordable street food in the 1960s or 1970s, using leftover godamba roti that bakers could not sell. The name comes from the Tamil word 'koththu', meaning 'to chop', which describes the way the dish is prepared. Over time, it spread across Sri Lanka and to areas with Sri Lankan communities abroad.
How is Kottu roti made?
To make kottu roti, godamba roti (a thin wheat flatbread) is cut into ribbons. On a hot griddle, onions and vegetables are fried, then eggs and cooked meat or fish are added. The chopped roti pieces are mixed in, and everything is chopped and stirred together using heavy metal spatulas. The pounding and chopping mix the flavors and heat the dish through. The process is quick, making it a popular fast food.
How and when is Kottu roti eaten?
Kottu roti is most often eaten hot, straight from the griddle, as a main meal for lunch or dinner. It is commonly found at street stalls and small restaurants, where the sound of chopping signals its preparation. People may order it with their choice of meat, egg, or just vegetables. It is usually served on a plate or wrapped for takeaway, and can be eaten on its own or with extra curry sauce.
Kinds of Kottu roti
There are many types of kottu roti, depending on the main filling. Some versions use only vegetables and egg, while others feature beef, chicken, mutton, or fish. In South India, a similar dish called kothu parotta uses parotta, a layered flatbread, instead of roti. Each region and cook may add their own mix of spices and ingredients, making every plate a little different.
What Kottu roti means
Kottu roti is a symbol of Sri Lankan street food culture, known for its lively preparation and affordability. The dish is tied to everyday life and is especially popular in urban areas. Its origins in the Moor community and later spread to other regions reflect the blending of cultures in Sri Lanka. The sound of kottu being made is a familiar part of the evening in many towns.
Questions people ask about Kottu roti
What is kottu roti made of?
Kottu roti is made from chopped godamba roti (a wheat flatbread), mixed with meat curry, scrambled egg, onions, chillies, and spices. It can include beef, chicken, mutton, fish, or just vegetables and egg.
Where does kottu roti come from?
Kottu roti originated in the eastern towns of Batticaloa and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, created by the Sri Lankan Moor community. It later spread across Sri Lanka and to South India.
How is kottu roti prepared?
Godamba roti is cut into strips and stir-fried on a hot griddle with onions, vegetables, eggs, and cooked meat or fish. The ingredients are chopped and mixed together using heavy spatulas, creating a distinctive sound.
Is kottu roti vegetarian?
Kottu roti can be vegetarian if made with just vegetables and egg. However, many versions include meat such as beef, chicken, mutton, or fish.
When is kottu roti usually eaten?
Kottu roti is typically eaten hot as a main meal for lunch or dinner. It is a common street food and fast food in Sri Lanka.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kottu", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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