Cook with Wasantha

If you’re looking for a hands-on cultural experience that combines local sights with culinary magic, the Cook with Wasantha tour in Galle is a standout choice. This 4-hour experience, rated a perfect 5.0 from over 200 reviews, offers a taste of real Sri Lankan life—visiting bustling markets, learning traditional cooking techniques, and sharing a delicious buffet of curries.

What really draws us to this experience is its small-group intimacy, capped at just 10 travelers, which means plenty of personal attention and the chance to ask all those burning questions about Sri Lankan spices and cooking secrets. The inclusion of a market visit, where you’ll select fresh ingredients, adds an authentic touch you just can’t get from a typical cooking demo.

One potential consideration? While the experience is highly praised for its hands-on nature, some reviews mention that it leans more toward demonstration rather than full participation. If you’re after a completely interactive experience, this might be something to keep in mind. Still, with a price of just $39 per person, the quality, authenticity, and cultural insights make this a fantastic value for food lovers eager to bring Sri Lankan flavors home.

This tour is best suited for curious travelers who enjoy local culture, want to learn traditional recipes, and don’t mind getting a little messy in the kitchen. If you’re eager to understand the nuances of Sri Lankan spices and enjoy a hearty, communal meal at the end, you’ll find plenty to love here.

Key Points

• Authentic experience: Combines market visits, spice insights, and home-style cooking.
• Limited group size: Small groups ensure personal attention and a cozy atmosphere.
• Hands-on learning: Focus on curries, rice, and coconut milk, with practical tips.
• Cultural immersion: Visit the Dutch Market and fish market, gaining local insights.
• Tasty payoff: Enjoy a buffet lunch with your own freshly prepared dishes.
• Great value: At $39, it offers a comprehensive and flavorful introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine.

The Cook with Wasantha tour begins at her restaurant in Unawatuna, a charming coastal town just outside Galle. Arriving at 10:00 am, you’re greeted with a warm cup of ginger tea—nothing beats starting a culinary journey with some soothing local spice. From there, the adventure kicks off with a tuk-tuk ride to explore the vibrant Dutch Market. This route isn’t just about buying ingredients; it’s about absorbing the sights, sounds, and stories behind each vegetable and spice that make Sri Lankan cuisine so distinctive.

Visiting the Dutch Market: More Than Just Shopping

The Dutch Market is a hub of activity, brimming with colorful stalls of fresh produce. Your host, Wasantha, offers rich commentary, sharing historical insights and guiding you on how to pick the best vegetables and herbs for cooking. According to multiple reviews, this part of the tour is a real highlight—“interesting to visit two different markets,” as one reviewer put it, and it helps you grasp why fresh ingredients matter so much in Sri Lankan dishes.

What sets this visit apart is the genuine explanation about selecting produce based on smell, appearance, and texture, helping you understand what makes certain items stand out. We loved the way Wasantha shared her tips on choosing vegetables and explained their health benefits. This isn’t just shopping; it’s a mini masterclass in ingredient selection, giving travelers a practical skill set to carry home.

Fish Market: A Fresh Catch in Action

Next, you’ll head to the fish market, where the focus shifts to seafood—an essential component of Sri Lankan cuisine. Picking out fresh tuna or other local fish adds an element of excitement; reviewers often mention how engaging and lively this market visit is. It’s a sensory overload, with the scent of fresh fish and the chatter of vendors creating an authentic atmosphere.

The opportunity to select your own fish ensures that your dishes will be as fresh as possible, and some reviews highlight how memorable this part was. “We bought our fish fresh, and it felt really special,” shared one traveler. This step not only elevates the cooking experience but also deepens your understanding of local food sourcing.

Learning about Spices and Rice Preparation

Back at the kitchen, the real magic begins. Wasantha is praised for her relaxed, approachable teaching style, making complex techniques accessible. She walks you through making your own coconut milk, which is surprisingly straightforward and adds depth to curries. The focus on rice is another key moment—“how to do rice properly (fluffy)”—which is essential for an authentic Sri Lankan meal. We liked the way Wasantha emphasized technique and intuition, such as adding spices by smell rather than measuring, a skill that can transform home cooking.

The highlight is the preparation of five different curries, including classic favorites like dhal, pumpkin, aubergine, tuna, and a secret avocado curry. According to reviews, the curries are flavorful, well-balanced, and showcase the diversity of Sri Lankan cooking. The process is detailed but manageable, with plenty of tips on seasoning, cooking times, and ingredient ratios.

Making the Curries: Practical, Tasty, and Shared

What truly makes this experience stand out is the interactive yet relaxed atmosphere. While some reviews mention it leans towards demonstration, many participants felt they had the chance to participate actively. The focus is on teaching techniques that you can replicate at home, rather than just watching passively.

The final reward: a buffet-style feast where you serve yourself of the curries you helped create. The informal setting encourages sharing tips and stories, making it feel more like a family gathering than a class. As one reviewer noted, “We sat down with new friends and enjoyed sharing what we had prepared together,” which sums up this communal, warm experience.

The End Result: A Memorable, Delicious Meal

After the cooking, you’re invited to indulge in your own culinary creations—eating with your fingers, the traditional method in Sri Lanka. The buffet is generous, with all the dishes you learned to make, plus some extra treats like fresh fruit and local condiments. Many reviews highlight how delicious and authentic the food tastes, with comments like “Yum yum yum” and “incredible flavors.”

You leave not only with a full belly but also a new set of skills, recipes, and a deeper appreciation for Sri Lankan cuisine. Plus, you get 21 recipes to take home, so you can try recreating the magic in your own kitchen.

This tour is perfect for foodies, curious travelers, and those keen to understand Sri Lankan culture through its flavors. If you enjoy getting hands-on, learning practical skills, and sharing a meal with local families, this experience hits all those marks. It’s especially well-suited for small groups seeking an intimate, authentic journey rather than a cookie-cutter cooking demo.

However, if your priority is full participation with lots of chopping and stirring, be aware that some consider the class more demonstration-oriented. Still, the overall value, combined with the cultural insights and delicious food, makes it a worthwhile choice.

Cook with Wasantha offers a beautifully balanced blend of market visits, cooking techniques, and shared meals. It’s a chance to step into local life, learn authentic recipes, and enjoy a vibrant, communal eating experience—all for a very reasonable price.

The small group size ensures plenty of personal attention, and the focus on ingredients and methods gives you skills that extend beyond the kitchen. Travelers who want more than just watching a chef cook—those eager to learn, taste, and connect—will find this tour a standout.

The opportunity to buy ingredients fresh, see local markets, and make traditional curries from scratch provides a genuine insight into Sri Lankan culinary culture. The delicious buffet at the end, enjoyed with new friends, cements the experience as both immersive and satisfying.

If your goal is to bring home authentic recipes, gain practical cooking tips, and enjoy a warm, family-style meal, then this tour is a brilliant choice. It’s a perfect way to turn your trip into a flavorful adventure that lingers long after you leave Galle.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?
While the focus is on curries that often include fish, the experience primarily involves fish and vegetable dishes. You might find options to accommodate vegetarian preferences, but it’s best to check directly with the provider.

How much participation is involved?
Reviews vary; some feel it’s more demonstration, while others say they actively helped prepare the dishes. The small group setting encourages interaction, so you’ll likely have opportunities to participate.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing suitable for kitchen work is recommended. Expect some splashes, so casual, easy-to-clean clothes are best.

Are transportation costs included?
Yes, the tuk-tuk rides to the markets and back are part of the experience and included in the price.

Can I get recipes to take home?
Absolutely. Participants are given 21 recipes, which are a great resource for recreating the dishes later.

What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to rain or other bad weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Overall, Cook with Wasantha is a fantastic pick for travelers wanting a genuinely local cooking class in Sri Lanka that’s full of flavor, culture, and fun. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned home cook, you’ll walk away with new skills, authentic recipes, and a full belly.