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Lankan Tucker

Brunswick West’s hidden Sri Lankan cafe, now on Lygon Street.

Tomas Telegramma

Lankan Tucker 2.0’s light-filled, high-ceilinged space.
1 / 7Lankan Tucker 2.0’s light-filled, high-ceilinged space.Supplied
The signature biryani burrito.
2 / 7The signature biryani burrito.Shevan J
Kottu roti.
3 / 7Kottu roti.Shevan J
The breakfast plate.
4 / 7The breakfast plate.Shevan J
Lankan Tucker founders Nerissa Jayasingha and Hiran Kroon.
5 / 7Lankan Tucker founders Nerissa Jayasingha and Hiran Kroon.Shevan J
Pan rolls.
6 / 7Pan rolls.Shevan J
Lankan Tucker has relocated to a new home.
7 / 7Lankan Tucker has relocated to a new home.Shevan J

Lankan Tucker

Sri Lankan$

Even after eight years on a main road in Brunswick West, Lankan Tucker – Nerissa Jayasingha and Hiran Kroon’s cafe that pioneered Sri Lankan-style brunch – remained a hidden gem. The original Albion Street cafe closed last December, but the sense of discovery for diners looks set to continue at its new home, in an even more tucked-away location.

Lankan Tucker can now be found off Lygon Street in Carlton, within the College Square apartment complex. Despite scaling back the opening hours to only two days a week – Friday and Saturday – and running with an abridged version of the menu, the offering still packs a punch.

All the heavy-hitting items are here. The biryani burrito − which started out as a staff meal but quickly ascended to signature status − is a combination of spiced rice, chicken curry, melted cheese, red onion and raita. It’s rolled in fresh, flaky roti that’s handmade to Lankan Tucker’s specifications, with two optional add-ons available: hot chips and dipping gravy, for a saucier experience.

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Other longtime favourites include pan rolls, deep-fried savoury crepes filled with spiced veg or beef, and kotthu roti, a street-food staple of shredded roti tossed with egg, chopped vegetables and chilli. There’ll be regular specials, perhaps roast chicken and Laughing Cow cheese kotthu roti.

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Tomas TelegrammaTomas Telegramma is a food, drinks and culture writer.

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