Kiribath

Name: Kiribath
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Sri Lanka
Ingredients: 2 cups raw rice; 2 cups coconut milk; 2 cups water; 1 tsp salt

6 servings10 min prep30 min cookEasy Sri Lanka

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Kiribath

Story updated September 17, 2026

Kiribath, milk rice, holds ceremonial importance in Sri Lankan culture, traditionally eaten to mark new beginnings such as the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year or a child's first rice-eating ceremony. Its simple preparation of rice cooked in coconut milk reflects Sri Lanka's coconut-rich culinary landscape.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 cups raw rice
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups water
1 tsp salt

Instructions

1Rinse the rice and cook in water until nearly tender.
2Stir in the coconut milk and salt, and continue cooking on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice absorbs the liquid and becomes very thick and sticky.
3Transfer the cooked rice to a flat tray lined with a banana leaf or greased dish.
4Press the rice down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
5Let cool slightly, then cut into diamond shapes.
6Serve with lunu miris (spicy onion sambol) as a traditional celebratory breakfast.

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