Vadais

Vadais or Vadas are small savory snacks that are often eaten by them selves as a snack or included in a main meal with rice and curries. There are two main types of vadais, paruppu/masla vadai and Ulundu vadai.

The paruppu vadai is made from Bengal gram(Kadalaparippu), onions, chilies and spices and fried till golden brown. These are my favorite type of vadai because they are nice and crunchy, the most important thing to remember about paruppu vadai is not to make them or get the ones that are too fat. A fat vadai is a disappointing vadai.


Ulundu vadais share the shape of a donuts round with a hole in the middle. Generally these are prepared my making a dough seasoned with black mustard seeds, onion, curry leaves and chilies Often ginger is also added. The dough is the shaped into its characteristic vadai shape and deep fried. Although deep fried they should not be too oily. An oily vadai is also a disappointing vadai.
In summation Vadais make a great snack for guests and also go very well on the dinner plate, hard to find a Sri Lankan restaurant without 'em.

In summation Vadais make a great snack for guests and also go very well on the dinner plate, hard to find a Sri Lankan restaurant without 'em.

- Hima

Ulundu Vadai

Paruppu Vadai