Joanna James
The traditional Maldivian cuisine has traces of Indian, Sri Lankan, Indonesian, and African cuisines. The local fare doesn't have a lot of variety; however, there's a range of cooking styles.
The incessant heat in the Maldives doesn't leave much chance for farming. The only crops found here are pineapples, sweet potatoes, mangoes, papayas, and coconuts. These items and fish are the ingredients that make up the dishes served at restaurants in Maldives.
Being an island country surrounded by abundant marine life, it's no surprise that fish is the main ingredient of the local fare. Tuna is widely consumed and served at places like Niyama Maldives. Skipjack tuna, yellowfish tuna, and frigate tuna are the main types of tuna preferred by the locals. There are several methods of preparing fish; cooked, cured, smoked, and dried tuna are some of the favourites. The other popular fish species include mahi-mahi, scad, and wahoo.
There's a range of short eats you can enjoy during your time here. Every eatery serves a palette of short eats, and most of them include fish. Kulhi boakibaa, also called spicy fish cakes, is a local favourite. Fihunu mas, fish pieces dipped in chilli flakes, is another short eat you must try, although it could be a little too spicy for your liking. Gulha, fried fish dough, can be seen on restaurant menus as well.
Like its neighbouring countries, the Maldives is a curry nation. There's a range of curries to be enjoyed, and every one of them contains coconut milk. The Maldivian fish curry, made of coconut milk, fish, and a variety of spices, is a must-try. Tuna is the fish used for the curry, and it's served with a bowl of rice or bread. Chicken curry is another favourite curry in the Maldives. Just like Maldivian fish curry, chicken curry contains a variety of spices and coconut milk. Maldivians also like vegetable curries, and there's a selection of them.
A popular breakfast item in the Maldives, mas huni is made of tuna. It is a blend of coconut, chilli, onion, and tuna. All the ingredients are blended together to make a tasty mix. Mas huni is served with flatbread.
This is a food item you find in every Maldivian household. Rihaakuru is a fish paste made of tuna. The colour of the dish varies from light brown to dark brown. No extra effort goes into the making of rihaakuru; after the tuna is cooked in boiling water, the bits of tuna accumulated at the bottom of the pot is what makes up rihaakuru. Rice and bread are the most suitable accompaniments with rihaakuru.
One of the main draws for tourists, Maldivian street food can be found in Male. The streets are lined with pop-up carts and motorbikes selling a range of delicious snacks. Kavaabu is a mushy mix of rice, tuna, lentils, and spices. Bajiya is a pastry-like food item made of fish and sweet coconut. Theluli mas is another local favourite made of fish, chilli, and garlic.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
