Kitchen Recipe Collection
Sri Lankan Seeni Sambol Toast
Thick slices of toasted bread generously topped with Sri Lankan Seeni Sambol — a deeply sweet and savory caramelized onion relish with Maldive fish — a beloved everyday breakfast.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- bread
- onions
- Maldive fish (dried tuna flakes)
- red chili flakes
- curry leaves
- pandan leaf
- cinnamon
- sugar
- oil
- salt
Equipment
- Pan or wok
- Toaster or griddle
- Knife
Instructions
- 1
Caramelize Onions
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions, curry leaves, and pandan leaf. Cook slowly for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized.
- 2
Add Spices & Fish
Add crushed red chili flakes, Maldive fish, a pinch of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of sugar. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes until fragrant and sticky.
- 3
Season
Season with salt to taste. The seeni sambol should be jammy, sweet, and deeply savory.
- 4
Toast Bread
Toast thick slices of bread until golden and crispy on both sides.
- 5
Assemble
Generously spread the warm seeni sambol on the toast. Serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
- Patience is essential — the onions must be cooked low and slow to develop their sweetness. Do not rush or they will burn.
- Maldive fish (umbalakada) is what gives seeni sambol its unique, deep umami flavor. Dried shrimp can substitute but the flavor differs.
- Make a large batch of seeni sambol and refrigerate — it keeps for up to a week and gets better with time.
Variations
- Vegan: Omit the Maldive fish. Add a pinch of soy sauce for umami depth.
- Egg & Seeni Sambol Toast: Add a fried egg on top for a more filling breakfast.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Seeni Sambol translates to 'Sugar Sambol' in Sinhala, named for its characteristic sweetness.
- Storage: Seeni sambol keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Nutrition Estimate
285 calories · 8g protein · 40g carbs · 11g fat · 3g fiber per serving
