Easy Shrimp Kottu Roti (Spicy Shrimp & Veggies with Shredded Coconut Roti)

This easy version of Sri Lankan Shrimp Kottu Roti, also known as Kothu Roti, is a scramble of spices, shrimp, veggies, and chopped coconut roti! It is akin to fried rice, but with roti and tons of easy-to-find spices.

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What is kottu roti?

Kottu roti is a Sri Lankan dish consisting of chopped roti sauteed with spices, egg, meat, and onions.

The word “kottu” is said to originate from the word koththu, which means “to chop.” Sri Lankan Roti is a flatbread popular on the island. Put the words together, and you have chopped flatbread.

What mac and cheese was to my daughter during her early years was what Kothu Roti was to me during my childhood. Also referred to as “Kothu Roti” or “Koththu Roti,” to me, it is Sri Lankan Soul Food.

And, just as there are a variety of ways of spelling it, there are a variety of ways of making it.

Some Kothu Roti is made with eggs and some sort of meat; other versions are made with just meat. Some are super spicy, and some aren’t. Some even add in some cheese along with the plethora of other ingredients.

Where did Kottu roti originate?

Kottu roti is said to have originated as inexpensive street food sometime during the late 1960s/early 1970s, in Batticaloa or Trincomalee.

The story is that a cook did not want to discard old roti. So, he chopped it up and combined it with spices, meat, etc, and served it to customers. This dish was so loved that it grew in popularity to what it is today.

My mom’s kottu roti

My mom would keep it pretty simple when she would make kottu roti for us while we were in Sri Lanka. Her recipe would consist of a few veggies, torn-up roti, some chicken, and a ton of aromatic spices.

The history behind this Easy Shrimp Kottu Roti

When we moved away from Sri Lanka, kothu roti took a backseat for a long, long while. At least, that was until my daughter and I stumbled on a Sri Lankan restaurant called Kottu House in Manhattan.

We ended up dining on a delicious shrimp kothu while we were there. Ever since we got back, my daughter has been going on and on about that shrimp kothu, so, with a little coaching from my mom, I decided to make this version you see here today.

What are the ingredients needed to make Easy Shrimp Kottu Roti?

You will need the following 16 ingredients

1. Cabbage
2. Carrots
3. Celery
4. Fresh ginger
5. Garlic cloves
6. Onion
7. Frozen shrimp
8. Green chillies
9. Coconut roti
10. Smoked paprika powder
11. Ground coriander
12. Ground turmeric 
13. Ground cumin
14. Salt and black pepper to taste
15. Olive oil
16. Parsley

This recipe is so easy

This version I have here is pretty simple and not too spicy. I used this coconut roti, which I cut up.

I then sauteed it with shrimp, cabbage, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, and a few spices you can easily find at your local grocery store.

I added in some chopped green chilies for a bit of a kick, but they are totally optional.

If you are looking for a little variety to spice up your weekend (hoping your mind didn’t venture into the gutter with that), I hope you give this Easy Sri Lankan Shrimp Kothu Roti a try!

What I love about this Easy Shrimp Kottu Roti

• It is so easy to make
• Packed with flavor
• Versatile, you can use whatever veggies and meat you might have on hand. You can also use flatbread, pita bread, naan, or any other flatbread instead of the roti.
• Perfect for meal prep or make for a party or weeknight dinner
• Ready in 45 minutes

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Easy Sri Lankan Shrimp Kottu Roti

4.50 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Shashi

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This easy version of Sri Lankan Shrimp Kottu Roti, also known as Kothu Roti, is a scramble of spices, shrimp, veggies, and chopped coconut roti! It is akin to fried rice, but with roti and tons of easy-to-find spices.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cabbage head chopped
• 3 carrots chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
• 4 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 red onion chopped
• 1 lb frozen shrimp thawed
• 2 green chillies
• 8 coconut roti
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tbsp olive oil/oil of choice
• parsley for garnish.

Instructions

• Add 2 tbsp oil to a pan over medium heat and add in shrimp. Then add in 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp cumin and 1/2 tsp turmeric and saute about 4-5 minutes. Then, spoon shrimp onto a plate and set aside.
• Add the remaining oil to the same pan (over medium heat) and also add in the onion. Saute onion for about 5-6 minutes, stirring often.
• Add in the garlic and ginger and saute about 2 minutes.
• Then add in carrots, celery, and cabbage and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp cumin and 1/2 tsp turmeric, lower heat on stove, and let veggies cook for about 15 minutes covered.
• While veggies are cooking, cut up the coconut roti. 
• Also, chop the green chillies, making sure to get as much of the pith and seeds out if you don’t want it too spicy and set aside.
• When veggies are ready, add in the shrimp, the cut up coconut roti, green chillies, season with salt and pepper and garnish with chillies and parsley and enjoy warm!

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 514mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

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