The Hopper Platter by Dinithi Sri Lankan street food was unlike any food combination I’ve tried before
The Hopper Plater from Dinithi Sri Lankan Street Food stall at the Newcastle Christmas market(Image: chroniclelive)
Last Saturday marked the opening of Newcastle Christmas Market 2025, and if one things for certain the incredible array of food and drink stalls on offer will be drawing the crowds in. And this year I’ve discovered a new street food dish that packs a punch.
This year’s market is bigger than ever and has even expanded to Nelson Street. There’s also more entertainment like the new 15m high Ferris Wheel overlooking Old Eldon Square offering magical views of the sparkling market by night. And just footsteps from the new attraction is Dinithi Sri Lankan street food.
The food stall has a vast menu with lots of tasty dishes on offer but what stuck out most to me was the Hopper Platter – a Sri Lankan-style crispy bowl-shaped pancakes served with a choice of curry. For just £7.99 You can try a combination of lamb, beef, chicken or vegetarian curry on your Hopper plus two plain Hopper pancakes on the side which is certainly a reasonable price for a lunch dish.
Dinithi Sri Lankan Street Food stall at the Newcastle Christmas market(Image: chroniclelive)
I opted for the vegetarian and to my surprise was given not one but two types of curry – a potato and lentil dhal and a vegetable chutney to try. After a few minutes wait in the freezing city centre my hot and fresh Hopper pancakes were a much anticipated delight.
The combination of a pancake – something I’d usually enjoy with lemon and sugar – and curry, at first raised eyebrows. But the Hopper, a traditional Sri Lankan and South Indian pancake is made from a batter of rice flour and coconut milk, with a soft spongy centre and thin, crispy edges. And honestly it was delicious!
The Hopper Plater from Dinithi Sri Lankan Street Food stall at the Newcastle Christmas market(Image: chroniclelive)
The smell of curry alone was delicious and so I dug into the chutney first which definitely had a strong kick to it. If you like spice this is for you. The hot kick was exactly what I needed. Next the dhal, a slightly milder flavour but by no means any less tasty. Adding the light pancake to my curry made for a perfect lunch.
Dinithi Sri Lankan street food runs a stall in Grainger Market too so it’s definitely worth checking out and giving a try this festive season.
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Dining and Cooking