Sri Lankan String Hoppers (Steamed Rice Noodle Nests)

About This Recipe

Sri Lankan String Hoppers is a real, traditional Sri Lankan dish, known as Steamed Rice Noodle Nests. Delicate steamed nests of pressed rice flour noodles, a soft, mild accompaniment to spicy curries and sambols.\n\nString hoppers, known locally as idiyappam in related South Indian traditions and indi appa in Sri Lanka, are made by pressing a rice flour dough through a special press directly into woven mats or molds before steaming, a technique requiring specialized equipment passed down through generations.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Sri Lankan home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 300 grice flour
• 1 tspfine sea salt
• 350 mlboiling water
• 1 tbspneutral oil, for the press

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the dough

   Mix rice flour and salt, then gradually stir in boiling water, mixing quickly with a spoon until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

2. 2

   Knead

   Once cool enough to handle, knead the dough briefly until smooth.

3. 3

   Load the press

   Fill a string hopper press (murukku press with the finest disc) with the dough.

4. 4

   Press into shape

   Press the dough directly onto small round steaming mats or greased plates in a circular, woven pattern to form thin nests.

5. 5

   Steam

   Steam the nests in a covered steamer for 6 to 8 minutes until they turn slightly translucent and are cooked through.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve warm alongside curry, coconut sambol or a light coconut milk gravy.

Variations

• •

  Some households add a splash of coconut milk to the dough for extra richness.

• •

  Serve with kiri hodi (a mild coconut milk curry) for a traditional, gentle breakfast pairing.

• •

  A sweet version drizzled with treacle and grated coconut is a popular dessert-style variation.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions