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