Walking through the lively streets of Sri Lanka, one of the most cherished street foods you’ll find is the humble yet irresistible hopper—or ‘Appa’ as Sri Lankans call it. This bowl-shaped pancake, made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk, and sometimes topped with a perfectly cooked egg, is more than just food; it’s a taste of home, a bite of tradition. Loved by all—young and old, rich and poor, locals and travelers alike—hoppers are simply happiness on a plate.

For Prasanna and Dushyantha, hoppers were not just a favorite dish; they were a part of their identity. When they migrated to Australia, one of the things they missed the most was the comforting taste of freshly made, crispy Sri Lankan hoppers. But fate had other plans. While studying in Melbourne, Prasanna worked at a restaurant, where he had the opportunity to learn the art of making hoppers. With his natural curiosity and passion for food, he began experimenting with the recipe, perfecting it to match his own taste. That signature recipe would later become the heart and soul of Crunchy Hoppers.

What started as a simple joy—making hoppers for friends—quickly grew into something bigger. Word spread, and soon, friends told their friends, and before he knew it, Prasanna was catering small events on weekends while juggling a full-time job. However, as his family grew, so did his responsibilities, and he found himself questioning whether to continue his passion for hoppers.

That’s when Dushyantha, his childhood friend of over 20 years, arrived in Melbourne. When the two reunited, Dushyantha tasted Prasanna’s hoppers and immediately knew they had something special. His reaction?

“Machan, this is the best of the best! We should do this together.”

And just like that, a lifelong friendship became a business partnership—one built on trust, hard work, and an unwavering passion for sharing authentic Sri Lankan flavors with the world.

Determined to take Crunchy Hoppers to new heights, they dedicated themselves to perfecting their process—expanding their menu, streamlining operations, and introducing Melbourne to the true taste of Sri Lanka. Most importantly, they listened to their customers, continuously innovating to bring new flavors to the table. From traditional egg and plain hoppers to sweet hoppers (pani appa), cheese hoppers, milk hoppers, chili & cheese hoppers, and even Nutella hoppers, the menu evolved to cater to every craving. Soon, their motto became:

“You name it, we make it.”

With their authentic Sri Lankan taste, signature crunch, and exceptional service, demand grew rapidly. Within months, they had to expand their team. Today, Crunchy Hoppers is a family of 11, a close-knit team that shares the same commitment to quality, friendliness, and bringing joy to every customer.

Now, Crunchy Hoppers operates 7 days a week, from morning to midnight, catering to events of all sizes—from backyard gatherings to large-scale functions of 600+ guests. Whether it’s an intimate celebration or a grand event at one of Melbourne’s top venues, they bring the same passion, flavor, and authenticity to every occasion.

You can also find Crunchy Hoppers at Lynbrook Hotel, Ambula Restaurant, and Elephant House, where Sri Lankan food lovers gather to enjoy their signature crispy hoppers. With a growing family of Happy Crunchy Clients, this journey is just getting started!

Because at the end of the day, the best things in life are the people you love, the places you go, and the memories you make.

And at Crunchy Hoppers, we’re here to bring you a taste of Sri Lanka—one crispy, golden, delicious hopper at a time.

Happy eating!