Joanna James
For many people, a visit to the Maldives is all about the best hotels, resorts beaches and aquatic activities. However, for some, there is a greater delight that is in store. This is the stunning variety and deliciousness that Maldivian cuisine has to offer everyone who dives in headfirst.
This dish is essentially a form of fragrant fish soup that is a hugely popular dish in the Maldives. Much like miso or dashi, there is a lot of traditional roots to this dish. The Garudhiya primarily uses fresh tuna as its main flavour and it is complemented by the use of spices and citrus which all work in conjunction to create the stunning array of flavours that can be enjoyed by when tasting this dish.
If you are staying at a beach resort in Maldives such as the OBLU SELECT at Sangeli then there are plenty of opportunities to try out this dish and its umami like flavour. While the dish itself is quite simple, the flavours it offers up is a treat and an ideal accompaniment during the summertime dining experience in the Maldives.
When you are on the islands, be sure to ask for some Bis Keemiya. This samosa and spring roll hybrid dish are a delight. It is stuffed with sautéed cabbage, hard-boiled eggs and sliced onions, all wrapped up in a light and crispy wrap. A truly delicious flavour bomb! If you are travelling with friends and family, this is a great appetizer to have close at hand during a board game or a movie as well. It is delicious, easy to share and helps make friends no matter where you are.
If you are in the mood for something a bit healthy, then you must try the Boshi Mashuni which is essentially a banana flower salad. Comprising of shredded and blanched banana flower, spices and fresh coconuts with a dash of lime and chilli. It is the perfect combination of flavour, texture and freshness, making it a popular dish at many dining tables.
It is nigh impossible to go wrong with some flatbread at the dining table. Given that the Maldives is located in close vicinity to the island of Sri Lanka, the Maldivian cuisine has been influenced somewhat by their neighbours. For example, the Huni Roshi is akin to chapati bread and is also the Maldivian version of Sri Lankan 'pol roti'.
This dish is soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside making it the ideal companion to many of the delightful curries that grace a Maldivian dining table.
A very traditional dessert that has been a part of the Maldivian cuisine for generations, these starchy treats are a part of many people's diets. The main ingredient for this dish is sourced from the cores of palm stems and is warmed with coconut milk, cardamom and rose as well as creamy condensed milk. This dish is also a favourite with kids who enjoy the sweet flavours it has to offer.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
