Sri Lankan food is one of the most underrepresented cuisines in the United States, which makes Rice N’ Spice in Anaheim a genuinely rare find. It has been the only Sri Lankan restaurant open in all of Orange County since it opened in 2016, and it is one we keep coming back to whenever we are in Southern California. If you have never tried Sri Lankan food before, this is where to start.

Quick Summary

• Address: 1732 S Euclid St, Anaheim, CA 92802
• Phone: (657) 230-9275
• Hours: Mon 12–7pm, Tue–Wed closed, Thu 12–7pm, Fri–Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–8pm
• Parking: Ample free parking in the strip mall lot
• Alcohol: None served
• Best for: Families, food adventurers, Sri Lankan diaspora, anyone near Disneyland looking for something completely different
• Order this: Kottu, Lamprais
• Price range: Main dishes $17.99; short eats from $2.49

What Makes Rice N’ Spice Worth Knowing About

The restaurant sits in a modest strip mall in Anaheim, not far from Disneyland, and the setting does not hint at what is inside. Walk in and you are met with bright green chairs, large food murals on dark walls, and a long digital menu board above the counter displaying the full Sri Lankan repertoire — kottu, lamprais, biryani, hoppers, godamba roti, and an array of short eats.

One of the first things we noticed on the awards wall is a framed sign that reads “Don’t ask for Tikka or Korma at Rice N’ Spice.” It is a clear and confident statement: this is not a generic South Asian restaurant serving the usual Indian restaurant staples. The kitchen makes Sri Lankan food, and it makes it well. The restaurant has received Assembly recognition and multiple Awards of Excellence, which are displayed on the wall alongside press coverage.

For us, this is the most reliable place we have found for Sri Lankan food in Southern California, and we have been back multiple times across different visits to the area.

What to Order

Kottu — The Must-Order

Kottu is the dish we always start with and the one we recommend to anyone visiting for the first time. It is Sri Lanka’s most iconic street food — roti chopped and stir-fried on a hot griddle with eggs, onions, green chili, and your choice of chicken, beef, or seafood. The rhythmic metal-on-metal chopping sound it makes while cooking is part of the experience.

The version here arrives as a dome-shaped mound on a white plate with a small cup of gravy on the side. The texture is unlike anything else — shredded and slightly chewy from the chopped roti, fragrant from the spices, with just enough heat to be interesting without being overwhelming. We have ordered chicken and beef versions across multiple visits and both are excellent. The beef adds a richness that pairs particularly well with the sauce.

Spice level matters here. If you are not accustomed to Sri Lankan spice, ask for mild or medium. The full heat level is genuine.

Lamprais — The Signature Experience

Lamprais is the restaurant’s most celebrated dish and the one most food writers highlight. It is rice simmered in broth, combined with eggplant moju, a boiled fried egg, fried shrimp sambal, and pineapple curry, all wrapped and baked in a banana leaf. The banana leaf does two things — it imparts a subtle earthy flavor to everything inside and it creates a genuinely fun presentation when you unwrap it at the table.

We want to be straightforward: a truly traditional lamprais from Sri Lanka is a specific colonial-era dish with specific ingredients and proportions, and this version takes some liberties. But taken on its own terms it is very good — the pineapple curry brings a sweetness that balances the savory rice, and the whole package is deeply satisfying. It is one of the best things on the menu.

Other Highlights

• Godamba Roti: A Sri Lankan flatbread served with coconut sambol and curry. Simple and excellent. The $3.49 a la carte price makes it an easy add to any order.
• Hoppers: Bowl-shaped crepes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Egg hoppers at $3.49 each are a great entry point. Crispy at the edges, soft in the center, and unlike anything most American diners have encountered.
• Biryani: Fragrant basmati rice cooked with spices and your choice of protein. Solid and generously portioned.
• Short eats: The glass case near the counter holds fish rolls, patties, and other Sri Lankan snacks. Good for trying a variety of smaller bites alongside a main.

A Note on Food Allergies

We need to be transparent here: we did not inquire about allergy accommodations during our visits. Sri Lankan cooking uses a complex layering of spices, coconut, and curry preparations that makes ingredient tracking genuinely difficult, and our son is not keen on spicy food so we kept it simple. If you are managing specific food allergies, especially to tree nuts (cashews appear in some dishes), shellfish, or gluten, we would strongly recommend calling ahead and speaking directly with the kitchen before visiting. The staff have been friendly and accessible on all our visits, so this is a conversation worth having rather than skipping.

Practical Tips

• Check hours before you go. Rice N’ Spice is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours on other days vary and the restaurant does close when it sells out, particularly on weekends.
• Call ahead for large orders or groups. Reviews note that phone orders can occasionally get lost on busy weekend days, so confirm before arriving if you are ordering for more than two or three people.
• Takeout is popular. A significant portion of the business is the local Sri Lankan community picking up takeout. Do not be surprised if you place a dine-in order and the kitchen prioritizes a queue of pickup orders — the food is worth the wait.
• No alcohol is served. The restaurant offers signature drinks including faluda and iced coconut-based options listed on the menu board.
• Parking is easy. The strip mall lot has ample space with no charge.
• Proximity to Disneyland: If you are staying near Disneyland for a park visit, Rice N’ Spice is close enough to be a genuinely good dinner option on a non-park evening — a completely different experience from the resort area restaurants nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rice N’ Spice the only Sri Lankan restaurant in Orange County?

As of our most recent visit, yes. It has held that distinction since opening and remains the go-to option for Sri Lankan cuisine in the entire Orange County area.

Is Rice N’ Spice good for kids?

Yes, with caveats around spice. The restaurant is family-friendly and the portions are generous. Spice levels can be requested when ordering kottu and some other dishes, so a mild version is viable for younger diners. Lamprais and godamba roti are naturally milder options.

Is there vegetarian food at Rice N’ Spice?

Yes. The menu includes vegetarian kottu, vegetable curry combinations, pol roti, and several short eat options that do not involve meat. Sri Lankan cuisine has a strong vegetarian tradition and the restaurant reflects that.

Do you need a reservation at Rice N’ Spice?

The restaurant accepts walk-ins and reservations. For weekend visits, especially Friday and Saturday evenings when they stay open until 9pm, calling ahead or arriving early is advisable as they can sell out of certain items.

Final Thoughts

Rice N’ Spice fills a genuine gap in Southern California’s dining landscape and does it well. The kottu alone is worth seeking out — it is one of the more distinctive dishes available anywhere in the region. The lamprais, hoppers, and godamba roti round out a menu that consistently rewards repeat visits.

For families in the Orange County area who want to try something genuinely different from the usual options, this is the place. And for anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka — as we are — eating here first is an excellent way to get a taste of what is coming.