Arts

We all like to be adventurous in one way or the other and when it comes to all you foodies out there, you are willing to dive right in to a new experience. Our new column will feature one ‘adventurous’ dish each month so watch this space.

Not your average burger, the Meat Wedgie is an interesting take on a ‘bunless’ burger with two beef patties topped with an onion and chicken bacon jam and naimiris cheese sauce sandwiched between red cabbage and lettuce.

Created on the concept of bunless burgers with those who are on keto diets and do not eat carbohydrates in mind, the refreshing crisp bite of the cabbage and lettuce is a welcome replacement for the buns as it lightens the heaviness of the juicy double beef patties while the sweetness from the caramelised sticky onion and bacon jam balances the kick from their signature fiery naimiris cheese sauce.

The dish is also accompanied by their staple sides of masala fries and ketchup – a house blend of spices coat the chunkily cut potatoes making a nice change from the usual salt and chilli combination.

Established in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in September last year, The Viking’s artisanal burgers have already drawn great interest on social media. Localising Western concepts is the goal behind the Viking says 23-year-old Umal Perera who founded the restaurant.

“When you look at the burger industry in Sri Lanka, the pioneers are Fazly’s (previously known as Burger’s King) and Street Burger. We wanted to do something out-of-the-box. Something that would attract and interest customers to come try us,” Umal tells us speaking about the menu. The thinking process behind the burgers is tedious, long and challenging but they pay off, he says.

“The ‘Naughty unath Nice’ burger is one of our bestsellers. I was inspired by burgers from the UK that are topped with biscuits,” he adds and we can see exactly why as we tried the burger that was loaded with two succulent beef patties, melt-in-your mouth pulled beef covered in a crunchy peanut sauce and topped with a ‘nice’ biscuit for dessert. Full of flavour and textures, this definitely deserves its title of being a crowd favourite.

Another secret known only by loyal customers is the ‘TipTip Mania’ which Umal describes as a dish that will bring out nostalgia in all The Viking’s local customers. Crumb fried with TipiTip are two chicken breast patties topped off with more TipiTip and accompanied by their naimiris sauce and homeblend spices to eat, the TipTip Mania is a crispy and fun burger!

“Everything we have on menu is made in-house and at least 85% of our produce and ingredients are sourced locally. Our menu changes every three-six months with the bestsellers remaining constant,” Umal shares adding that exciting things are coming their customers’ way very soon.

The Viking is at 446, Nawala Road, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or find them on UberEats.

 

It was exciting and cool, say young stars

The making of young university ambassadors

Initiating great ideas and meeting challenges head on

Remembering CT

Golden Globe nominated ‘Promising Young Woman’ in town

Painting Physician opens ‘Soul Windows’

Rodney’s newest film ‘Ira Sevaya’ back in cinema