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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Kodi and Meena

Galle, Sri Lanka

USD
$20-$60 per person

Authentic Sri Lankan cooking class inside Galle fort in a traditional Dutch home

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Kodi and Meena

Kodi is a retired banker and his wife Meena is a retired teacher. Kodi is also an antique collector and had been looking for a suitable home for his collection for a while. He stumbled upon a beautiful Dutch home 30 years ago. Kodi and Meena (and Kodi's antique collection!) now live in this stunning home built by the Dutch 300 years ago, located inside the picturesque Galle fort. Please note that because it is an older home, there is no air conditioning so we suggest you wear lighter clothes as it can get quite warm in certain months. They love sharing their food and culture with travelers. Meena learned to cook from her mother and grandmother and she still uses the exact same family recipes when she cooks. Meena very excitedly shares, "relatives who try my food often say it reminds them of my mother and grandmother's cooking and this makes me very happy."

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-6 guests) Kodi and Meena's home is less than a 10 minute walk from the main entrance of the Galle fort. We suggest that you walk from the entrance to their home to take in the beauty of the fort - stunning architecture, cobbled streets, pastel colored buildings, street cafes and views of the lighthouse and ramparts. Kodi and Meena's home is an extension of this old world colonial charm - you will notice this as soon as you enter their traditional Dutch home. The terracotta tiles, wooden furniture and antique pieces will transport you to another era. Learn more about the house and their lives while you share a traditional Sri Lankan meal at Kodi and Meena's dining table that overlooks their small garden area. Your menu may include dishes such as dhal (lentils cooked in coconut milk), pineapple curry, cassava (tapioca) curry, eggplant, okra, and ambul thiyal (tamarind clay pot fish). You will end your meal with a local favorite - buffalo yogurt drizzled with coconut palm syrup.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Meena will be waiting for you in their home kitchen to begin your two-hour hands-on authentic Sri Lankan cooking class. After taking a look at the vegetable you chose during your market tour she will come up with a menu for the day. You will start by washing and cutting all the ingredients needed for the meal. Meena will then show you how to prepare two kinds of coconut milk using coconut powder. Later join her to cook 3-4 delicious Sri Lankan curries using spices she grinds at home. Kodi will be the sous chef - together he and Meena form a great team in the kitchen!

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Enjoy a cup of hot tea with Kodi and Meena at their beautiful home before driving with Kodi to the local fish market. This is the place where fishermen sell their fresh catch. It is a busy area flocked by locals trying to get the freshest seafood. Kodi will take you to his regular vendor and tell you more about the local seafood before purchasing fish for your cooking class. Then drive to the Green Market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for your cooking class. The Green Market is a colorful indoor market that houses several stalls selling beautifully presented seasonal and local produce. Stop at the vegetable stall and feel free to pick 3-4 seasonal vegetables that you would like to cook up before visiting the fruit stall to buy fresh pineapple. Your local market tour will last one hour after which you will drive back home with Kodi to begin your cooking class with Meena.

Notes: Kodi and Meena can offer a vegetarian meal on request. Please note that Kodi and Meena do not have air conditioning in their house and it may be warm. Dress appropriately for Sri Lanka's hot, tropical climate.

Kodi and Meena also run a homestay, so you might see other guests while you're there, however your Traveling Spoon experience will remain private.

If you select optional alcohol, you can choose between a glass of local arrack or beer.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Dhal (lentils cooked with coconut milk)
  • Fish curry
  • 3-4 seasonal vegetable curries
  • Rice
  • Yoghurt served with coconut palm syrup

Traveler reviews

4.75 (4)
Kodi and Meena were warm hosts and spent a lot of time with our group... we visited the fish market, vegetable market and enjoyed watching them cook up a feast! our lunch spread included - red rice, a special Sri Lankan fish curry and a variety of fresh vegetables, followed by a traditional dessert of yogurt with treacle. The setting of the house is also beautiful... in Galle Fort, which is a UNESCO heritage site. A great way to experience Sri Lankan cuisine and hospitality!
- Sangeetha V February 03, 2019
It was an enjoyable morning at Kodi and Meena's gorgeous heritage home in Galle. They were warm and welcoming hosts who made us feel completely at home. Kodi took us on a tour of the local fish and vegetable market after which we watched as Meena expertly churned out a few dishes while explaining how they were cooked. The meal was delicious with a variety of Sri Lankan vegetable preparations and a fish curry. Desert was jackfruit, yogurt and treacle which was the perfect end to a lovely meal.
- rollingstone13 January 19, 2019
Our hosts, Kodi and Meena, were extremely warm and friendly and I immediately felt right at home with them. Kodi took us on a market tour and was extremely knowledgeable about the local produce. Meena is a wonderful cook and expertly demonstrated how to prepare several flavorful vegetarian dishes. Their home is a piece of history on a quiet lane in Galle - I believe it's a 300-year-old Dutch house. I enjoyed the setting of our meal tremendously as the dining table overlooked a sunny garden. The meal included a wide array of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, all simply prepared and full of flavor. Overall, I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who might be considering it. I was won over by the cooking and the warmth of the hosts.
- SNarjala78 January 16, 2019
Kodi and Meena are a very sweet couple that live in a house in Galle Fort - colonial time building! Even before we had our first cup of tea with the host, we had the opportunity to roam the house, searching through the old rooms, finding pieces of art - Kodi is an art collector. After we got to know the hosts over a cup of tea, we went straight to the market with Kodi to pick up (nearly) everything we would need to cook with Meena. Fish market first and the vegetable market second. Bring your camera! After we came home from the market we started cooking the curries. There was no hurry as we prepared the food. Leaving time for detailed descriptions of the recipes, the used spices, the preparation of the meal and specifics about sri lankan food in general. After we finished preparing the curries, we couldn't wait for eating - being curious about the different tastes of the eight(!) curries we managed to prepare. Overall Kodi and Meena made this a special experience for us, in a special home in a special country. Thanks for everything Kodi and Meena and all the best to you!
- December 18, 2018
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Kodi and Meena

$20-$60 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
Market Tour + Meal
 Not offered $40 $20
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 $50 Not offered
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Market Tour + Meal
 Not offered $40 $20
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 $50 Not offered
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm

Meet Kodi and Meena

Kodi is a retired banker and his wife Meena is a retired teacher. Kodi is also an antique collector and had been looking for a suitable home for his collection for a while. He stumbled upon a beautiful Dutch home 30 years ago. Kodi and Meena (and Kodi's antique collection!) now live in this stunning home built by the Dutch 300 years ago, located inside the picturesque Galle fort. Please note that because it is an older home, there is no air conditioning so we suggest you wear lighter clothes as it can get quite warm in certain months. They love sharing their food and culture with travelers. Meena learned to cook from her mother and grandmother and she still uses the exact same family recipes when she cooks. Meena very excitedly shares, "relatives who try my food often say it reminds them of my mother and grandmother's cooking and this makes me very happy."

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-6 guests) Kodi and Meena's home is less than a 10 minute walk from the main entrance of the Galle fort. We suggest that you walk from the entrance to their home to take in the beauty of the fort - stunning architecture, cobbled streets, pastel colored buildings, street cafes and views of the lighthouse and ramparts. Kodi and Meena's home is an extension of this old world colonial charm - you will notice this as soon as you enter their traditional Dutch home. The terracotta tiles, wooden furniture and antique pieces will transport you to another era. Learn more about the house and their lives while you share a traditional Sri Lankan meal at Kodi and Meena's dining table that overlooks their small garden area. Your menu may include dishes such as dhal (lentils cooked in coconut milk), pineapple curry, cassava (tapioca) curry, eggplant, okra, and ambul thiyal (tamarind clay pot fish). You will end your meal with a local favorite - buffalo yogurt drizzled with coconut palm syrup.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Meena will be waiting for you in their home kitchen to begin your two-hour hands-on authentic Sri Lankan cooking class. After taking a look at the vegetable you chose during your market tour she will come up with a menu for the day. You will start by washing and cutting all the ingredients needed for the meal. Meena will then show you how to prepare two kinds of coconut milk using coconut powder. Later join her to cook 3-4 delicious Sri Lankan curries using spices she grinds at home. Kodi will be the sous chef - together he and Meena form a great team in the kitchen!

Market visit: (2-6 guests) Enjoy a cup of hot tea with Kodi and Meena at their beautiful home before driving with Kodi to the local fish market. This is the place where fishermen sell their fresh catch. It is a busy area flocked by locals trying to get the freshest seafood. Kodi will take you to his regular vendor and tell you more about the local seafood before purchasing fish for your cooking class. Then drive to the Green Market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for your cooking class. The Green Market is a colorful indoor market that houses several stalls selling beautifully presented seasonal and local produce. Stop at the vegetable stall and feel free to pick 3-4 seasonal vegetables that you would like to cook up before visiting the fruit stall to buy fresh pineapple. Your local market tour will last one hour after which you will drive back home with Kodi to begin your cooking class with Meena.

Notes: Kodi and Meena can offer a vegetarian meal on request. Please note that Kodi and Meena do not have air conditioning in their house and it may be warm. Dress appropriately for Sri Lanka's hot, tropical climate.

Kodi and Meena also run a homestay, so you might see other guests while you're there, however your Traveling Spoon experience will remain private.

If you select optional alcohol, you can choose between a glass of local arrack or beer.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Dhal (lentils cooked with coconut milk)
  • Fish curry
  • 3-4 seasonal vegetable curries
  • Rice
  • Yoghurt served with coconut palm syrup

Traveler reviews

4.75 (4)
Kodi and Meena were warm hosts and spent a lot of time with our group... we visited the fish market, vegetable market and enjoyed watching them cook up a feast! our lunch spread included - red rice, a special Sri Lankan fish curry and a variety of fresh vegetables, followed by a traditional dessert of yogurt with treacle. The setting of the house is also beautiful... in Galle Fort, which is a UNESCO heritage site. A great way to experience Sri Lankan cuisine and hospitality!
- Sangeetha V February 03, 2019
It was an enjoyable morning at Kodi and Meena's gorgeous heritage home in Galle. They were warm and welcoming hosts who made us feel completely at home. Kodi took us on a tour of the local fish and vegetable market after which we watched as Meena expertly churned out a few dishes while explaining how they were cooked. The meal was delicious with a variety of Sri Lankan vegetable preparations and a fish curry. Desert was jackfruit, yogurt and treacle which was the perfect end to a lovely meal.
- rollingstone13 January 19, 2019
Our hosts, Kodi and Meena, were extremely warm and friendly and I immediately felt right at home with them. Kodi took us on a market tour and was extremely knowledgeable about the local produce. Meena is a wonderful cook and expertly demonstrated how to prepare several flavorful vegetarian dishes. Their home is a piece of history on a quiet lane in Galle - I believe it's a 300-year-old Dutch house. I enjoyed the setting of our meal tremendously as the dining table overlooked a sunny garden. The meal included a wide array of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, all simply prepared and full of flavor. Overall, I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who might be considering it. I was won over by the cooking and the warmth of the hosts.
- SNarjala78 January 16, 2019
Kodi and Meena are a very sweet couple that live in a house in Galle Fort - colonial time building! Even before we had our first cup of tea with the host, we had the opportunity to roam the house, searching through the old rooms, finding pieces of art - Kodi is an art collector. After we got to know the hosts over a cup of tea, we went straight to the market with Kodi to pick up (nearly) everything we would need to cook with Meena. Fish market first and the vegetable market second. Bring your camera! After we came home from the market we started cooking the curries. There was no hurry as we prepared the food. Leaving time for detailed descriptions of the recipes, the used spices, the preparation of the meal and specifics about sri lankan food in general. After we finished preparing the curries, we couldn't wait for eating - being curious about the different tastes of the eight(!) curries we managed to prepare. Overall Kodi and Meena made this a special experience for us, in a special home in a special country. Thanks for everything Kodi and Meena and all the best to you!
- December 18, 2018
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
Market Tour + Meal
 Not offered $40 $20
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 $50 Not offered
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
Market Tour + Meal
 Not offered $40 $20
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 $50 Not offered
Alcohol
 $4 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.