Travel Today: Sri Lanka’s Food Stories Told With Heart and Honest Cravings

Remember when we were kids and the next “hot spot” to have a meal was told to us by the television? Next thing we know, our families give in to our relentless badgering and off we go. But now, things have changed. Gone are the days when we rely on brand-based marketing for food, and instead, we turn to honest, genuine, authentic, real people’s true feelings about Sri Lanka’s budding and spicing food zones. The last time you visited that popular stall down Colombo’s lesser-known road, it wasn’t a TV ad, it was a TikTok, wasn’t it?

That’s why all credits to our ‘hidden-gem food spots’ go to all great food content creators who keep our inner foodies satisfied, and at the very top could be Sandaru Bandara Weerasekara (Banda) better known as Travel Today.

“Our adventure with Travel Today began back in 2018, and at that time, Sri Lanka didn’t have a single YouTube channel dedicated to food reviews,” Banda shares. “We were hungry for something new, so we decided to start with something as simple and universally loved as street food.”

From the very start, the response was overwhelming. “Right from our first video, the response was overwhelming, and that energy kept us going. We made it a point to post at least one video every week, and our audience grew with every new upload.”

Beyond just filling a content gap, our love for this path soon became one of celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich food culture. “The real inspiration came from the fact that food content in Sri Lanka was largely unexplored, and we could fill that gap. We saw the opportunity to take local flavors to the world, share hidden gems, and help people explore the vast food culture that Sri Lanka has to offer.”

Sri Lanka’s food landscape is wonderfully diverse, but it can sometimes feel repetitive. The same staples appear across the island. “Sri Lanka has a rich food culture, but it’s not always as diverse in terms of food types as you might find in some other countries,” Banda explains. “Often, the same dishes pop up everywhere, and that’s where we come in.”

His goal is to uncover those hidden treasures, whether it’s roadside ‘kades’ or family-run eateries, or places that tell stories through food, no matter the price. “We want to show our viewers the hidden treasures, regardless of whether it’s a quirky roadside kottu stall or a luxurious five-star meal. Each place we feature tells a story, and every bite is a piece of Sri Lanka’s culinary narrative.”

Before filming, Banda and his team carefully research their destinations. “As for restaurants, we do our homework. We want to ensure that every place we visit has something truly exceptional to offer, whether it’s their food, atmosphere, or story.”

This thoughtful approach turns each video into more than a review. It becomes a window into the culture, the people, and the traditions behind each dish.

Although Banda began with YouTube and Facebook, TikTok has transformed his reach and impact in profound ways. “TikTok was initially an afterthought for us. We were completely absorbed in YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, but then something incredible happened. TikTok started taking Sri Lanka by storm,” he recalls.

“One day, we decided to give it a shot, uploading a few videos, and boom, they went viral. It was a game-changer. In just a couple of years, we’ve gained over 200,000 followers, and it’s helped us reach a younger, more engaged audience.”

TikTok lets Banda showcase food moments in a way that feels magical, quick, and fun. The platform’s short video format encourages creativity and connection, which fits perfectly with his style. “What we love about the platform is its ability to turn even the simplest food moment into something magical. It allowed us to experiment with fun, quick content that resonates with people. What started as a casual experiment has turned into one of the most powerful tools for growing our community.”

Beyond just video format, TikTok’s features play a big role. Easy in-app editing tools mean Banda can shoot, trim, and polish videos on the go. The platform’s vast library of sounds, effects, and trending music lets him add atmosphere and personality to every clip.

Community features like comments, duets, and stitches foster real engagement. Fans don’t just watch the videos; they interact, share their own experiences, and invite friends to join the conversation. This creates a close-knit space where food lovers connect over shared discoveries and cravings.

In a world overflowing with food content, Banda stays true to what matters most: honesty and quality. “We believe authenticity is key. We don’t follow trends just for the sake of it. Our primary focus has always been on creating high-quality, genuine content. We pour our hearts into each video because we want to give our viewers something special, something real.” This commitment shows whether the spotlight is on a humble street vendor or a luxury restaurant.

“We work with some of the most respected brands in Sri Lanka, from humble street food joints to five-star hotels. But no matter the setting, our approach stays the same. We want to show the true essence of every dish, the story behind it, and the love that goes into making it.”

With a solid foundation and growing audience, Banda’s ambitions are bold and clear. “Our vision for Travel Today is expanding. While we’ve explored some incredible places in Sri Lanka, we’re excited to take our journey further.” A recent project took him to Jaffna, a city with a rich culinary history. “Our latest project, exploring the food scene in Jaffna, was an eye-opener, and the response was amazing.”

But Banda’s dream goes beyond Sri Lanka’s shores. “The big dream? We want to take Travel Today beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. Think food adventures in places no one has covered before, unique video series that cross international borders, and uncovering hidden food scenes that will blow your mind.” His passion for storytelling and discovery keeps him motivated to share new flavors and stories with his ever-growing community.

In a digital world where content can sometimes feel fleeting, TikTok offers creators like Banda a powerful platform to tell meaningful, authentic stories. Its accessible tools, vibrant community, and creative freedom allow creators to capture the essence of moments, the sizzle of street food, the laughter of shared meals, and the joy of discovery, in ways that truly connect with audiences.

For Travel Today, TikTok is more than just a social media platform. It is a creative partner that helps turn every bite into a story, every meal into an experience, and every viewer into a fellow explorer on a delicious journey.