Discovered a Hidden Sri Lankan Buffet | Voted The Best Curry in NY in Staten Island
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Very grateful to be able to enjoy a wonderful day in New York as a tourist, taking in the sights and more importantly, experiencing the great foods and the diversities of the cuisines found in the state. Today, I took a trip to Staten Island to see the great views of the New York skyline and to see the Statue of Liberty. And while the sights were impressive, I was ultimately thrilled to have found a hidden gem in Staten Island serving up what's voted as New York's best Sri Lankan curries! It keeps getting better because this is a buffet also; with an incredible value!
It's always fun and exciting experiencing new cuisines and the tastes and flavours of Sri Lanka certainly does not disappoint. And there's no better way to try all the foods and offerings than at a buffet where one can sample to theirs heart's desire! While cutlets, hoppers, kottus, and Wambatu moju may not be in ones culinary vocabulary at this point, there is a wonderful and satisfying way to remedy that at Lukruwana.
Lakruwana Restaurant in Staten Island offers their Sri Lankan buffet every Saturday and Sunday. For the incredible price of $16, this buffet offers incredible Sri Lankan favourites delivering deep and intense flavours in the best possible way.
Some useful links:
Lakruwana Restaurant:
• Website: www.lakruwanar...
• Cost: $16 for the lunch buffet. Only available Saturdays, and Sundays
• Address: 668 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10304, United States
Thank you to you all for joining on this unexpected and welcomed discovery! Happy dining everyone!
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Sri Lankan and Trini are my favorite cuisines. I'm Filipino.
ලක් රුවන..
අගනා වැඩක් ❤ ශ්රීලංකා නාමය ලෝකය පුරා පතුරවමින් අපේ රසය ලොවට ගෙනියන්න දරණ වෑයමට සුබපැතුම්..
Born and raised in Staten Island, and still haven't tried one of the local Sri Lankan places. This needs to change in the new year. Great video!
Hi Lawrence and a very Merry Christmas to you! Really enjoyed Staten Island wish I could be there to see the Christmas festivities. Hope you get a chance to try, and all the best to you 😃
Great video of the Sri Lankan buffet. I am a Chinese Sri Lankan (Father settled there in the late 30’s) grew up eating these foods.
Hi Daniel, thank you so much for reaching out! Loving Sri Lankan food as well and always looking for great restaurants in my area. In Vancouver, there doesn't seem to be too many, except for the special events held by the Sri Lankan community. All the best to you! 🙂
@@TimLeeLetsGo I am in Vancouver as well. Watching your other Vancouver video with the bday friend. Keep those videos coming 👍
I wish everyone was as friendly, polite and positive as you are, the world would be a better place
I second that emotion 🎶🎶🎶
You all are very kind! Just having fun with the videos and really grateful to get to share these experiences here!
kindness goes a long way
I agree 👍👍
I just said the same thing to a couple of friends
Tried this place in summer of 2021
Walked from times square to the staten island ferry, then from the ferry terminal to the restaurant, loved all the food i had before making the walk to some local Sri Lankan stores, before walking back to the ferry and walking back to hotel in times square. Close to 20 miles walked that day
I'm glad to see people from other countries eating Sri Lankan food. And I wish you the opportunity to eat more delicious food around the world 🥘
The Sri Lankan curries and dishes were phenomenal. So much good deep flavors. I used to eat Sri Lankan dinners at my friends place and we tend to use her hands much more.. very enjoyable.
Sri Lankan food is amazing
Agreed 😋
Sri lankans are brothers of Indians
Thank u so much .im a srilankan
Tim, I'm so very happy you took my advice and started showing the price of the food. It looks like your other subscribers are appreciating it as well as they comment how reasonable the $16 price is. As Always I Love your personality and your videos. Thank You.
Thanks so much again! The prices do help especially for this restaurant which is really of great value 🙂
Thank you Tim for taking us to another hidden buffet gem. What a great choice as nothing like having curry as the weather gets colder. Stay safe as you continue travelling throughout the States.
Thanks Jonmichael, hope you and yours are doing well also! Yeah, much more cautious with the travels now and glad to have a chance to visit before the current situation 😉
That food looks amazing! We absolutely love curry, so that would be a dream for us. Also, the interior of the restaurant is so wonderfully decorated. Thanks for sharing Tim :)
They really did an amazing job in the restaurant interior... Feels like you're actually in Sri Lanka or at least what I imagine it would be. Flavors were quite good and intense in the best possible way. Take care and all the best to you both
Tim you always take us to such interesting places! Thank you! ❤️
Hi Carlotta, it's interesting what one can find when one is a bit hungry 😉
@@TimLeeLetsGo Yes you are so right! I started eating watching this video! 😂
A
The decor of the restaurant is amazing, besides the food. Thank you Tim for showing us.
Thanks DY. They certainly did an amazing job and it almost makes you forget you're in the United States.
Tim, you beat me to it! I'm planning a NYC foodie tour early in 2022 & the Sri Lankan cusine is on my list. There are several Sri Lankan restaurants in Staten Island & this one gets high marks because not only for the food but it's also a gift shop, grocery & display if Sri Lankan culture🇱🇰. Now, @ $16 that buffet looked awesome. Totally different from the $125 buffet at The Nordic. However, I thought you ate a lot of desserts at the Nordic as well👍 Staten Island also has a lot of old-school type Italian restaurants⭐
How about the FREE ferry ride from lower Manhattan to Staten Island, not bad👍
Hi Laurence! Great to hear about your plans in early 2022 🙂. Someone was nice enough to suggest Randiwa in Staten Island and I must say it looks very impressive also! I really enjoyed the ferry ride and it was mainly to go on the ferry, but very happy to have found this Sri Lankan buffet in Staten Island. We have the wishing you safe travels in the future 🙂
@@TimLeeLetsGo Randiwa also has very delicious, memorable food. The decor, not so much.
As always, Tim, thank you so much for the wonderful video. Appreciate your continuous effort and excellent work. Stay well and healthy! Greetings from your recurring fans, Pat.
Thank you again Patrick! All the best 🙂
The restaurant looks fantastic and the food seems delicious !
The decor was quite impressive and really tasty dishes 😋
The interior design 🙂
Top notch interior for sure 🙂
I am from Sri Lanka and love to see this Sri Lankan foods in New York. You guys are wellcome to Sri Lanka to enjoy these kind of foods and natural beauty.
Tim, I would so eat there just for the inside decor (that tableside menu looked awesome). Not big on spice, but like you, the broccoli is one vegetable I would eat lol. And remember...you can never overdo on the desserts!
It was a fun place to try the SriLankan dishes...they really did a nice job on the interior and the food, though somewhat spicy, was very good😋. All the best 😀
I have not tried many curries, but everything looked so good. Take care of yourself and enjoy New York.
God Bless Tim
Thank you so much Martha. Certainly enjoyed New York a lot... Especially the people there!
I think this is a record Tim 😄 that🍍 curry looks very interesting. Beautiful interior and only $16/person 😧 maybe I'll use this video as an excuse to lure my wife back to New York 😆
Here's hoping for safe travels to continue on 🤞🤞🤞
@@TimLeeLetsGo I hope so too 🤞 although I haven't left Texas since March 2020 😐
Very impressive Tim. Love the decor.
It's quite unique Dave, upon entering the restaurant, one tends to forget they're in Staten Island (or in the US for that matter) 🙂
Neila Pabalu
What a really cool restaurant! I'm 25 minutes from Staten Island (in NJ). Definitely going next weekend. Thanks Tim.
Hope you enjoy Tony! Oh, I forgot to mention it was cash only there. I actually had a bit of problem in the end paying 🙂 (luckily they made an exception for the credit cards)
$16? Unreal. Thanks for sharing.
Very good value and very tasty 😋
that decor just looks..... busy. food looks pretty good
There were so many artifacts and feels like you're in a small village. Quite unique and it certainly transports you away from NY🙂
Amazing vlog. As I born in Sri Lanka, but moved to Canada 31 years ago. Came back to Sri Lanka 2 months ago and exploring the island very well. The food culture is amazing. Hands down. Can't complain at all. The portion is so big too. Even when I say small servings, they still give big amounts.
Great to hear! Really enjoyed the Sri Lankan food here and there's so many other places to visit and also receive so many recommendations for other places too
Thanks for the Delicious Video, Tim. The Interior of the Restaurant looked Amazing.
They certainly did a great job with the decor and food was great too 😋
That food looked like it came from heaven! Thanks for sharing
Tasted that way too!
Awesome video Tim. One of my favorites. That is my favorite type of food. Having lived in an Indian temple ❤🤗
I was really envious of this video
I know how good the plates are
Wow Joe, I didn't know you lived in a Indian temple. It's kind of interesting, during university times, there were times where some friends would go to the Indian temple for lunch when funds were tight.
@@TimLeeLetsGo no just salt and pepper on the seafood. If you like some garlic salt okay. Please check out Sue and gumbo. On TH-cam he is really funny and a good cook. Bless you🙏🙂⚘
NICE TO SEE YOU BACK IN THE STATES THANKS
Hi Linda, it was a great visit to NY and really glad to be able to visit before the current events ...
Hi Tim!! It's great to see you visiting us in New York City!! I love the positive energy you bring in your videos. Safe travels and God bless 🙌🏽
You live in such an amazing city! Really great to see things opening back up again.. I got visit a pizza restaurant one evening around the theatre area, call the pizza Cafe, and just by chance it was their opening night after 2 years of closure 🙂
The food looks amazing. This is the first I've seen Sri Lankan food items. Thank you for this video.
Tim , you always find the most amazing places to eat. Thank you for bringing us all along. Luv from Virginia ❤
Greetings from Vancouver canada! Hope things are well in Virginia. It was so nice to explore Staten island... Was not expecting to find much and was mainly going for the ferry ride, but glad to have spent some time there
Your plate looks awesum with mouth watering Sri Lankan food, that brinjal curry looks delicious..bon appetit!
Hi Tim. I know you don't know who I am. I actually sat a few desks behind you in 5th row in grade 5. Mr Stevenson's class at Lord Nelson. You went by Timothy back then.
Thought I'd say hi and commend you on your channel. Been watching for the last year. I get jealous sometimes watching you eat because I'm a foodie so if you're ever looking for someone to join on these food trips let me know. I can help with the camera.
Whoa Marcus! May I compliment you on your super memory!... right down to the fifth row! I have a recollection of the classroom and the fellow students there, but I must admit, the faces are fading...but I have some slight memory.
Really appreciate you reaching out and you made my day! So many good memories... cassette tape, the original Nintendo...and the Mc D'lite😃. Was not intending to purposely start a TH-cam channel, but it just sort of happened and really grateful to be able to share some of the experiences. Really enjoy the people here and all the great interaction. Always looking for great places to eat and people to meet so anytime.
Thank you, Tim. Looks like you found a real gem of a restaurant!
This place is INCREDIBLY FANTASTIC:) Wow, we absolutely love India cuisine and this regions food looks amazing. Talk about hole in the wall bucket list destination, this is it. Kim is crazy about Papadoms. Not only is it great to see your channel explode in popularity but also to see your production values shine more with each new delicious episode. This place reminds us of a favorite place of ours in Beijing. Eye candy architectural everywhere. Thanks for taking us on this special foodie adventure.
Blessings, James and Kim ❤
Woah, it would be great to see what the place you visited in Beijing is like! They really did a great job with the interior (and also the dishes of course 🙂). Thank you both again and all the best 🙂
*Sri Lankan* 🇱🇰
I saw so many people find sri lankan restaurants in USA. I think they should build more🤷🏽♀️ btw go to texas to try from spice zest. That's the best sl restaurant in texas❤
Staten island I know very well,next time please try Mini India in Jackson Heights a lot of restaurants,the diversity of food is great Chinese,Colombian,Peruvian, Mexican,Brazilian etc... so nice. Thanks for so nice video and memories.
Thank you so much for the great suggestion Zzba Bazz!!! Just looking up the location of Mini India in Jackson Heights and this would certainly be a highlight! Thank you again and all the best!
Hello tim...ty again 🤗 love curries but even more the lunch price of only 16$...🥰❤❤
Hi Pat, it was a nice find and great value 🙂
Delicious 😋 Greetings from Scotland 😊 Have a wonderful day everyone 🌻
Hi Tim, good to see you again 🤗...love how you travel around the world to show us new places to see and try food from other cultures 😉👍...used to live in Staten Island but never seen this restaurant...glad you enjoyed your meal...be happy healthy and blessed always...safe travels 😘🤗💙
Thank you again Jade🙂. I was quite impressed at how easy it was to get back and forth to Staten Island. It was a pleasant trip there. The ferry ride was quite nice and their were a few nice places to visit. Certainly was surprised to see a buffet there 🙂
I believe there wasnt any seafood given the price was quite economical.
Their eggplant is one of the best things I've ever tasted. I hope it's always a staple at their buffet. The mouse is also fantastic.
Great to hear! When did you visit?
@@TimLeeLetsGo I'm a local so I got back every few months to treat myself.
Mmmm 😋 !! Looks so delicious Tim! ❤️
Hi mcwalker, it was a surprising find and a tasty one at that 😉
That looks like a lovely buffet and the food was steaming hot which is unusual in a buffet.
It was a great experience... there was a warm glowing flame beneath those clay pots full of wonderful curries to keep them warm 😋. It was quite decorative overall and the dishes were great 😀
Tim love all your videos, on youtube. You are so friendly and a nice classy guy. 🤗❤️
Thank you for very kind comment Visario! Just having fun and grateful for all the interactions here on TH-cam 🙂
This looked so awesome. I've never been to New York City, but I have relatives who have. Also, my maternal ancestors came through New York City, from Czechoslovakia and Poland in the early 1900s. Cheers, Tim and God Bless! ✌️
It is quite profound to think that so many people came through NY. Love the diverse cultures there. All the best to you too Dwayne!
This gentlemen has some great videos on eating at buffets restaurants. He is very intelligent how we should placed food on our plate. He gets enough of the food he is going to eat. He does not over do in eating & ta add tasting different foods. I truly enjoys his videos. Very intelligence & respectful to the staff of these Restaurants. Thanks Tim Lee for being the intelligent person that does & speak honesty about all the foods you are eating. God Blessed You Daily!!!!
Hi Dorothy, thank you so much for your kind comment and your reference of gentleman 🙂. I guess my manners have improved over the years 😉. Seriously, much appreciated and all the best to you 🙂
You are gracefully welcome!!!
Thank you Tim for another amazing buffet video 😋 Happy Holidays🎄
A very happy holidays to you and yours as well 🎄🎄🎄
it all looks so yummy!!!!!!!! i always enjoy your videos!!!! wish i could eat with you!
Thank you again Tiffany 🙂
Hey Tim 😄. Went to Lakruwana (we lived on Staten island) with my son last sunday and wow ! Buffet was excellent, the vegetable fried rice (yum) as was the beautiful decor. Small but so well done ❤️. We tried a little of everything 👌🏼 and well you forgot to add the deliciousness of the Mango pudding OMG yum. Even the Vegan rice pudding 😋. It is so worth the spiciness 💯🔥. Only 16$ and cash only. Bring an appetite 😉.
Tim, yer killin' me! I almost licked the screen!!! Thanks for this delicious tour of a mostly unknown food category. YUM!!!!! 💝
It’s not how you eat them. You have to mix everything together and eat. You have to let the rice be seasoned by cuisines. Then eat it using a spoon or hand.
I was tempted to use my hands, but with the camera equipment, it just doesn't work out very well 😆
First time seeing srilankan dish.quite similar to indian, and some malay food surprisingly. I didn't know they have hot chili paste too. Interesting though with the pineapple curry..i never try that, usually pineapple dish, i eat the achar nyonya/ peranakan style, mixed with carrot, cucumber..so this is new style of eating ;)
Really cool...I needed to look up achar nyonya and have had that before. There is a good resemblance between the two. Really enjoy the Malay style of cooking also 🙂
@@TimLeeLetsGo
I see..malay food is definitely one of comfort food for me, having been away for quite a while from my hometown in indonesia, kinda miss it, not saying in SG no good malay food, but still can't beat the taste I am accustomed to eat, growing up. perhaps you can plan for your next eating trip to include malay food too..just a suggestion, not sure if your tongue is trained to eat spicy food, definitely worth a try 😄
Wish we have a restaurant like it. Food looked fresh and delicious. And so many sri lankans in toronto.
Hey Tim, you sounded so cute and funny as you said "papadaam." As a South Indian American, I have to commend you on going out of your way of trying out different cuisines.
Glad you’re enjoying NY!
Hi Lady Murasaki, glad to have a chance to visit before the current events 😉
@@TimLeeLetsGo when are you coming back to Vegas?
@@ladymurasaki370 just keeping an eye on this omicron variant 😮...😉
It’s really an authentic Sri Lankan buffet. Love the place and food there. Sri Lankans eat curries along with the rice. Even the papadam. I think that way it’s way better. 😋 Happy to see you enjoying Sri Lankan food. Lots of love from SL. 🇱🇰
Hi Manuri! Thank you so much for reaching out and warmest greeting to you from my home, Vancouver, Canada! Really enjoyed the rich flavours and spices!
I've been there, Great restaurant!!
Hi Michelle, isn't it great? Really enjoy Sri Lankan flavors in general 😋
Should try papadam with chili/lemon chutney!
That would be a nice combination... a little bit or tartness would be great with the papadam!
Best updates always. Always love the positivity in the human spirit
Thank you so much again 😃
Thank you Tim for taking us on another culinary adventure, everything looked delicious, stay safe and happy travels
Hi Phil, was mainly focused on the ferry ride that day but really glad to plan to explore Staten Island a little bit.. great time at the Sri Lankan buffet
ohh I have such food envy now .-) all the foods looked amazing
Thank you for sharing,Tim. Would love to have met you as I live in Upstate NY,but I can’t travel(disabled with Muscular Dystrophy). But my Son lives in Brooklyn,will definitely share your review.Enjoy NYC,Merrill 💖
Thank you so much Merrill! New York is wonderful place ... And huge! I got a chance to visit Queens this time as well and really enjoyed the area. Will need to visit Brooklyn also🙂. Take care and all the best to you and yours 😃
Yummy! Sri Lankan egg plant curry is a must try!
The street art is amazing!
The visuals on the outside and inside were quite impressive... didn't feel like one was in Staten Island!
Ah I forgot to say that I copied the vegan burger DIY, after I showed my husband the burger in your video and he was curious what it tastes like (he don't want fake meat too) bc it looked amazing! It turned out FANTASTIC !!! So thanks again for the idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️
Great to hear Yvonne! That burger is second to none.. I'm glad to hear you all enjoying it😋
I know this restaurant!! I live on Staten Island and its about 10 minutes from my house! I hope you enjoyed your day♥
Thank you Daria! Really liked visiting SI... didn't now what to expect, but there are so many places there!
@Tim Lee no just salt and pepper on the seafood. If you like some garlic salt okay. Please check out Sue and gumbo. On TH-cam he is really funny and a good cook. Bless you🙏🙂⚘ I'm 60yrs. Old. Keep going. Love your food channel.
Thanks Joe.. looking up Sue and gumbo
My man Tim is my favorite foodie ..., greeting from nice and warm Hawaii! 🤗 🤗 🤗
Ohh... I can imagine how nice it is in Hawaii! A crisp winter greeting to you from Vancouver 😃
Thank you for posting this, will definitely try this place if I am in New York City. Too bad we don’t have an authentic Sinhalese restaurant in Toronto.
I love saag paneer, and rice, tandoori chicken breast, chicken Mahoning, dal, and other dishes.
Enjoy.
Years ago we used to take SI Ferry to work in person or with car, when cars were allowed. I miss the Si Ferry rides. I moved away a long time ago. I'm not sure if this restaurant was open when we lived there. I love this kind of food.
Much success to all.
Greetings from Sri Lanka. As a Sri Lankan I am delighted to know that other nationalities are willing to enjoy our authentic food.
Sri Lankan food enriched with healthy spices such as cinnamon, coriander, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, curry leaves etc. If you search on internet you will know they carry lots of health benefits.
Thank you Tim for taking time to show our authentic food pattern to the world.
Wish you and your followers all the very best with future endeavours!!
Thank you for reaching out Sithari and warmest greetings to you from my home of Vancouver Canada. We have a large Sri Lankan community here and really enjoy the culture and the foods! Really intense warming spices and flavors. Thank you again.
As you live in Vancouver, Canada when you meet the Sri Lankan community next time taste Jaffna Food (Jaffna is the northern part of Sri Lanka) Jaffna flavours are totally different and Im sure you will love them. Wish you will get to try Jaffna crab curry in Canada 🙏😉☺️
All the best
Stay happy always
Enjoy watching all your food adventures. Would love to try those lovely cuisines. Cheers! 🥂👍😋💯
Hi Al, go for it and travel ( safely of course). Thank you again and all the best to you 🙂
Not matching vegetables for rice.this food match for string hoppers ❤
So I see Sri Lankan cuisine is basically Kerala, India cuisine!
Agreed...so much similarities!
Spicy level,coconut milk are different
I was there. Great food. So many Sri Lankans live in Staten Island.
I have never heard anyone in my 68 years of living, get so excited about eating fat.🤔
Hi friend! I am enjoying watching your video 💚❤️🎉👍👍 have nice day keep connecting!!
Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind comment.. all the best to you and yours 🙂
Too bad is in SI. No one goes there. LOL
Yeah, I was originally taking the trip mainly for the ferry ride. Glad to have found this place though😋
@@TimLeeLetsGo excellent found nevertheless!
Guess Im weird but I was hopin to see you eat with your fingers..^^
Tim, I'll definitely do the same with the deserts! I'll overdo them!🍇🥭🥑
It was like a painter's palette 🎨 Petr 😃
Looks so good.
Hi Sally, it was a surprisingly nice find 🙂. Hope you're keeping well 🙂
Many people don't get to enjoy the real taste of Sri Lankan Meals because they always eat the curry separately. but it's the wrong way. In Sri Lanka we eat all the curries mixed with rice.
And if I recall, it's mixed with your hands
Ty!
Great review!
Such a interesting place!!
Hi Jacqueline, it was quite impressive and inside the restaurant, one forgets they're in Staten Island 🙂
It.s great concept.
I wish the owner invest little be on ingredients ...it will paid on the long run...
Include but not limit to reduce heavy cream on the food to feel full very fast during the dinning ..
As well...pork..??
I understand high payroll in NYC make the budget buffet concept almost impossible to survive
Help the peoples by investing in good food so they can help you..it.a extremely difficult business
I was actually a little bit surprised to see pork on the buffet as well.. it was tasty, but just wasn't sure if it was very common
Don't get me wrong brother, I am a lover of food. You cannot leave out salt with pepper on lobster 😛
Now let me watch this video. Thanks Tim, God Bless you on your journey. Love ya!
Agreed...a little bit of salt and pepper... maybe some garlic as well would make it perfect...I think this merits another visit to make it just right 😉
And don't ever show me another delicious baked potato without salt and pepper 🤗
Hi tim is this place walking distance from the ferry?
As a native Sri Lankan and someone who travels to NY for work once a month I would recommend Sigiri in easy village / mahatten. They dont have a buffet but the food at Sigiri is more authentic and flavorful.
Much appreciated! And next time on the trip to New York, will definitely need to try some authentic Sri Lankan fair. Thank you for your suggestion.
Srilankans usually mix all the curries with rice which is more tasty
🙏❤❤🇱🇰🙏🙏
i feel like i have a life watching you travel and eat 🤣🤣🤣❤👍
So glad to be able to travel again... The eating is nice too 😉
wow this is one of the most unique buffets i've ever seen.
what a rarity.
PS: I was pleasantly surprised Sri Lankan's eat pork!?
I was actually surprised at the pork as well.. this was quite a nice find and a fantastic value
Little Julia's parents restaurant... Wow.❤️.
Sri lankan food best food country 😏🇱🇰
Tim, I'm trying to find those waterproof shoes you showed us. Can't recall the name
Hi Connie, those are called Vessi. Really comfortable especially for traveling 🙂
Good to see our local food in US 🇺🇸
Hi, u should eat rice with a spoon not a fork. And normally ppl will just use fork n spoon no need for a knife. All dishes r already bite sized.
Yeah, the Curry's and other dishes were in a perfect bite-size pieces.