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Updated by Joanna James on Mar 16, 2024
Headline for 05 Local Dishes to Try Out in Maldives – It's the Tropics, Let Go and Enjoy
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Joanna James Joanna James
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05 Local Dishes to Try Out in Maldives – It's the Tropics, Let Go and Enjoy

Maldives is a fabulous destination for relaxing and enjoying the warm embrace of the Indian Ocean. Cuisine there is mainly seafood based, fresh and full of flavour. Here are few dishes worth trying.

1

Tuna and Coconut Mix – Mas Huni

This is a delicious mix of coconut, chilli and tuna; a firm favourite amongst Maldivians. This is a kind of flaky salad that requires very little preparation time and is often a staple at the breakfast table. Mas Huni is enjoyed with roshi or chapatti and a steaming hot mug of black tea. Roshi is traditional Maldivian thin bread.

2

Chilli Tuna – Kulhimas

This is quite simply a chilli tuna dish; as denoted by the name. Kulhi in local dialect means hot or spicy while mas quite simply means fish. This too like the former is a local favourite enjoyed at lunch and dinner time with roshi or rice; it is a staple on the menu of just about all Maldives restaurants.

3

Maldivian Fish Soup – Garudhiya

Over the centuries Maldivians have added tuna to their staple diet; the fish is often smoked or dried before being used in any dish; however, this Maldivian Soup valued for its nutritive qualities is made with fresh tuna. It is a clear broth soup that is simple and packed with fresh flavours. The soup is often eaten hot with rice or on its own flavoured with lime and salt.

4

Sweetened Sticky Rice – Handulu Bondibai

Handulu Bondibai is a traditional dish that is made to celebrate a special occasion such as a birth. It is most often made with rice, although other variants include sago or breadfruit. The dish can be eaten on its own or with Mas Huni, as a side accompaniment. When prepared for a special occasion, parcels of Kulhimas -which is the chilli tuna and Bondibai are made and distributed amongst neighbours and friends. Take a boat from Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort to Male and you will come across loads of local cafes serving this delicious meal.

5

Fish Cake – Kulhiboakibaa

This is a traditional dish that has been eaten over the centuries by the Maldivian people. This too is a dish that is made for special occasions such as local festivals and feasts, although, today Kulhiboakibaa is often a favourite snack enjoyed at tea time. Key ingredients are rice, coconut and smoked tuna; the rice is soaked overnight and ground to a thick paste before being mixed with the rest of the ingredients.