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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Bandu

Colombo, Sri Lanka

USD
$40-$60 per person

Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine in a high rise apartment in Colombo

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

Meet Bandu

Bandu is a kind and friendly host, a retired IT professional who has lived overseas for over 35 years. He learned to cook from his mother and has been cooking traditional, home style Sri Lankan food for over 40 years. He initially learned to cook for survival as a young professional and now is extremely passionate about cooking for friends. Apart from cooking, Bandu likes traveling, hiking and swimming. He has traveled to over 35 countries and has even learned to cook local food in a few of them. When asked why he would like to be a host, Bandu says, “this is a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and meet like-minded people.”

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: (1-4 guests) Bandu lives in a high-rise apartment building located in a green suburb of Colombo, Rajagiriya. Bandu always has a story to tell and is excited to share knowledge about Sri Lanka, its culture and cuisine! He is eager to share the history and traditional methods of preparing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Listen to all his interesting stories while you share a meal together at his dining table. Chicken or fish curry, eggplant stir-fry, lentils, rice and gotu kola salad (a melange of a leafy green noted for its medicinal properties, minced shallots, lime juice and freshly grated coconut) are some of the authentic Sri Lankan dishes you might try at Bandu's table. You will end your meal with curd and treacle (a traditional dessert) or wattalappam (coconut custard pudding).

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) During your 2-hour hands-on authentic Sri Lankan cooking class, you will learn to make a couple of local vegetable dishes and a curry. Before you begin cooking, Bandu will show you how to make homemade roasted curry powder - a delicious blend of spices that used to make most Sri Lankan curries. After cooking, enjoy your meal over delightful conversation with this friendly local.

Notes: Bandu can offer vegetarian, vegan and halal meals on request. If you choose the paid transport add-on, Bandu can organize pickup and drop-off from your hotel through taxi or shared car service.

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.
  • Fish or chicken curry
  • Stir-fried eggplant
  • Gotu kola sambol (minced local green salad)
  • Lentils
  • Rice
  • Watalappam or curd with treacle
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Bandu was absolutely friendly, warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. His home is spacious, well kept, neat and tidy with modern furniture and house plants. There's a stunning view from the living room. You could see the green marshlands and the Colombo skyline. Our favourite part of the experience was tasting the mushroom and tomato dish he prepared. It was absolutely delicious, with salty, and caramelized flavours, both in one. We also loved learning how to cook Sri Lankan chicken curry with him. Together, we feasted on rice and curry and watalappan (a custard-like, Sri Lankan dessert which he prepared the night before for us).

Zinara and Nathan, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Colombo Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
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Bandu

$40-$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
In-Home Meal
 $40 Not offered Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 Not offered Not offered
Alcohol
 $6 per person
Transportation
 $20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $40 Not offered Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 Not offered Not offered
Alcohol
 $6 per person
Transportation
 $20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Bandu

Bandu is a kind and friendly host, a retired IT professional who has lived overseas for over 35 years. He learned to cook from his mother and has been cooking traditional, home style Sri Lankan food for over 40 years. He initially learned to cook for survival as a young professional and now is extremely passionate about cooking for friends. Apart from cooking, Bandu likes traveling, hiking and swimming. He has traveled to over 35 countries and has even learned to cook local food in a few of them. When asked why he would like to be a host, Bandu says, “this is a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and meet like-minded people.”

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: (1-4 guests) Bandu lives in a high-rise apartment building located in a green suburb of Colombo, Rajagiriya. Bandu always has a story to tell and is excited to share knowledge about Sri Lanka, its culture and cuisine! He is eager to share the history and traditional methods of preparing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Listen to all his interesting stories while you share a meal together at his dining table. Chicken or fish curry, eggplant stir-fry, lentils, rice and gotu kola salad (a melange of a leafy green noted for its medicinal properties, minced shallots, lime juice and freshly grated coconut) are some of the authentic Sri Lankan dishes you might try at Bandu's table. You will end your meal with curd and treacle (a traditional dessert) or wattalappam (coconut custard pudding).

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) During your 2-hour hands-on authentic Sri Lankan cooking class, you will learn to make a couple of local vegetable dishes and a curry. Before you begin cooking, Bandu will show you how to make homemade roasted curry powder - a delicious blend of spices that used to make most Sri Lankan curries. After cooking, enjoy your meal over delightful conversation with this friendly local.

Notes: Bandu can offer vegetarian, vegan and halal meals on request. If you choose the paid transport add-on, Bandu can organize pickup and drop-off from your hotel through taxi or shared car service.

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.
  • Fish or chicken curry
  • Stir-fried eggplant
  • Gotu kola sambol (minced local green salad)
  • Lentils
  • Rice
  • Watalappam or curd with treacle
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Bandu was absolutely friendly, warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. His home is spacious, well kept, neat and tidy with modern furniture and house plants. There's a stunning view from the living room. You could see the green marshlands and the Colombo skyline. Our favourite part of the experience was tasting the mushroom and tomato dish he prepared. It was absolutely delicious, with salty, and caramelized flavours, both in one. We also loved learning how to cook Sri Lankan chicken curry with him. Together, we feasted on rice and curry and watalappan (a custard-like, Sri Lankan dessert which he prepared the night before for us).

Zinara and Nathan, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Colombo Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $40 Not offered Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 Not offered Not offered
Alcohol
 $6 per person
Transportation
 $20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $40 Not offered Not offered
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $60 Not offered Not offered
Alcohol
 $6 per person
Transportation
 $20 per car
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
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.