This food truck behind Cardiff Central station is smashing out game-changing lunches
This food truck behind Cardiff Central station is smashing out game-changing lunches
If you are looking for a new lunch time spot in Cardiff, this Sri Lankan food stall is just the place
It was a stunning feast for lunch
(Image: Steph Colderick )
We are spoilt for choice for lunch options in Cardiff, from all the fantastic independents in Cardiff Market, to award-winning sandwich shops such as Fresh and cosy cafes like Coffee Barker. You can read our full list of brilliant Cardiff lunch spots here.
Now there is a new street food option available, and it is not one you should miss. Located on Penarth Road - so perfect for those who work near Central Square - is a food stall selling stunning Sri Lankan food.
Ceylon M8 has popped up on Penarth Road in the past couple of weeks and definitely needs to be your next lunchtime treat, or for dinner, as they are open until 9pm.
Selling traditional Sri Lankan food, such as koththu and fried rice, these dishes are a taste of South Asia right in the Welsh capital.
The food stall is on Penarth Road
(Image: Steph Colderick )
We went along to try some of the food and opted for chicken fried rice for £8.49, egg fried rice for £7.49, and chicken koththu for £8.49.
Article continues below
Koththu is a stir fried dish cooked on a hot griddle using thin strips of roti bread instead of noodles, mixed veggies, egg and a choice of meat, or you can opt for a veggie dish.
The mixture is given a chop on the griddle, then doused in a chicken or beef curried gravy, depending on your choice of meat filling.
The fresh meat is doused in a light flour, then fried to give it a crisp, without having a southern fried coating.
I opted for the chicken one and it was one of the best street food dishes I have ever had.
First off the portions from Ceylon M8 are massive: you are easily getting your money's worth as there was more than enough food to provide me for two lunches.
Almost pancake-like in texture and taste the koththu was so moreish and even though I had enough for leftovers the next day, I could have easily polished off the whole portion.
It had a good spicy kick that wasn't so strong it was overpowering but definitely added an extra taste to the dish.
The chicken was fresh, easily tore apart and incredibly well- coated, and you could tell it had been given plenty of time to marinate.
The portion sizes are massive
(Image: Steph Colderick )
The blend of Sri Lankan spices created a taste like nothing I've really had in Cardiff: it was like what a South Asian holiday would taste like and you felt like you were transported right to Ceylan in Sri Lanka after just one taste.
Both the rice dishes were also huge portions and the rice was well cooked, light and incredibly well flavoured.
The egg taste was strong and there was plenty of it while the chicken fried rice hit the spot. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here .
While waiting for the food to be cooked you could smell the spices and flavour drifting from the kitchen and knew you were in for a treat.
We were also very kindly given two free mango juices from the stall, run by Sanranga, who was very welcoming and attentive.
If you are looking for your next lunch or dinner spot head to Ceylon M8 for a taste of South Asia right here in Cardiff.
Article continues below
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
25 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Michelin star restaurant in Menai Bridge among the world's best
From Sydney to Marrakesh, London to Paris, and everywhere in between, the experts at La Liste have reviewed thousands of restaurants from around the world based on publications, guidebooks and online reviews. As a result, it has established a list of the world's best restaurants, which includes five in Wales. The restaurants in Wales that have been named among the world's best by La Liste are: You can see the full list of the world's best restaurants on the La Liste website. Address: Trinity House, 1 High St, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EE La Liste score: 83.5 Sosban and the Old Butchers is an "intimate" Michelin star restaurant located in Menai Bridge. From the moment you step into the North Wales restaurant, you get a feeling of exclusivity", according to the Michelin Guide. It explains: "Covered windows add a feeling of exclusivity to this intimate restaurant; once inside, you'll discover an appealingly rustic room with Welsh slate walls, sheepskin-covered chairs and hand-painted animal tiles pointing back to its butcher's shop days. "Stephen Stevens' surprise menu utilises a wealth of North Wales ingredients in dishes that provide bold flavours and original, personal touches, demonstrating an innate understanding of cooking techniques and flavour combinations – the cod with fermented onion fudge is superb." Sosban and the Old Butcher has been described by visitors as the "most unbelievable dining experience." (Image: Tripadvisor) It's not just the experts who love Sosban and the Old Burtchers, but customers as well, with the Menai Bridge-based restaurant boasting a 4.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 373 reviews. RECOMMENDED READING: Three 'unforgettable' seaside pubs in North Wales named among the UK's best North Wales 'best' fish and chip shop named among UK's top takeaways 'Picturesque' North Wales town among UK's best for al fresco dining and pub gardens One guest, talking about their experience on Tripadvisor, said: "Most unbelievable dining experience I've ever had. "Food was amazing! Chef talked us through every dish, explaining where it comes from, how it was cooked, why and how it should be eaten. "Service was laid back and casual, which was an interesting touch from what I had experienced before. "Very unique, a fantastic evening!"
North Wales Chronicle
40 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Michelin star restaurant in Menai Bridge among the world's best
From Sydney to Marrakesh, London to Paris, and everywhere in between, the experts at La Liste have reviewed thousands of restaurants from around the world based on publications, guidebooks and online reviews. As a result, it has established a list of the world's best restaurants, which includes five in Wales. The restaurants in Wales that have been named among the world's best by La Liste are: You can see the full list of the world's best restaurants on the La Liste website. Address: Trinity House, 1 High St, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EE La Liste score: 83.5 Sosban and the Old Butchers is an "intimate" Michelin star restaurant located in Menai Bridge. From the moment you step into the North Wales restaurant, you get a feeling of exclusivity", according to the Michelin Guide. It explains: "Covered windows add a feeling of exclusivity to this intimate restaurant; once inside, you'll discover an appealingly rustic room with Welsh slate walls, sheepskin-covered chairs and hand-painted animal tiles pointing back to its butcher's shop days. "Stephen Stevens' surprise menu utilises a wealth of North Wales ingredients in dishes that provide bold flavours and original, personal touches, demonstrating an innate understanding of cooking techniques and flavour combinations – the cod with fermented onion fudge is superb." Sosban and the Old Butcher has been described by visitors as the "most unbelievable dining experience." (Image: Tripadvisor) It's not just the experts who love Sosban and the Old Burtchers, but customers as well, with the Menai Bridge-based restaurant boasting a 4.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 373 reviews. RECOMMENDED READING: Three 'unforgettable' seaside pubs in North Wales named among the UK's best North Wales 'best' fish and chip shop named among UK's top takeaways 'Picturesque' North Wales town among UK's best for al fresco dining and pub gardens One guest, talking about their experience on Tripadvisor, said: "Most unbelievable dining experience I've ever had. "Food was amazing! Chef talked us through every dish, explaining where it comes from, how it was cooked, why and how it should be eaten. "Service was laid back and casual, which was an interesting touch from what I had experienced before. "Very unique, a fantastic evening!"
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth and Penarth restaurants named among world's best
From Sydney to Marrakesh, London to Paris, and everywhere in between, the experts at La Liste have reviewed thousands of restaurants from around the world based on publications, guidebooks and online reviews. As a result, it has established a list of the world's best restaurants, which includes five in Wales. Welsh restaurants among the world's best The restaurants in Wales that have been named among the world's best by La Liste are: Ynyshir (Powys) Annwn (Narberth) The Whitebrook (Monmouth) Sosban and the old Butchers (Menai Bridge) Home by James Sommerin (Penarth) You can see the full list of the world's best restaurants on the La Liste website. The 2 South Wales restaurants among the best in the world The Whitebrook Address: Whitebrook, Monmouth, NP25 4TX La Liste score: 85 The Whitebrook is a Michelin-star restaurant located just out of Monmouth by the Wales/England border. The award-winning restaurant also holds a Michelin Green Star, 4 AA Rosettes and is "regularly included in the Top 50 list of restaurants in the UK", according to its website. It is described by the Michelin Guide as "the very definition of a destination restaurant". The guide explains: "This place's isolated woodland feel is all part of its inherent charm. "A nature-inspired colour theme and rustic wood flooring suit the location down to a tee. "Ingredients are sourced from Wye Valley and their own kitchen garden, and are used in botanically based dishes with natural flavours." The Whitebrook's signatures include Middle White suckling pig and Hereford raspberries with garden herb sorbet. It also has its own "creative" vegetarian menu. The Whitebrook also comes highly recommended by visitors, boasting a 4.6 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 562 reviews. One person posted: "Outstanding. Went for the wife's birthday, an excellent food tasting experience. "Every dish carefully crafted with some incredible flavours from some real unique ingredients locally foraged." Home by James Sommerin Address: 1, Royal buildings, Penarth CF64 3EB La Liste score: 80 Home is also a Michelin-star restaurant and one of the best places to eat in the world, according to La Liste. An experience at the Penarth-based restaurant is a "small, intimate affair" that provides "an immersive yet warm and friendly experience". And as the name implies, Home is staffed almost exclusively by family members, with James Sommerin and his daughter Georgia working together in the open kitchen. But the best and most intriguing part about Home is that the interior and menu are both kept secret. SquareMeal explains: "Diners enter by ringing a bell, and the windows are covered by curtains so you can't see inside. "Once you are seated, you will notice an envelope on the table - this contains the 'surprise menu'. RECOMMENDED READING: "It's up to you whether you open it and find out what's to come or wait and let it be a true surprise." The surprise menu changes regularly and is full of "impeccable" dishes that make great use of produce provided by local suppliers, the Michelin Guide adds. "Wales should be as proud of this restaurant as any Josh Adams try," it continues.
