Joanna James
There are many traditional dishes in the Maldives that every visitor must taste! Although known more famously for its beautiful ocean and palm-fringed beaches, here are dishes you need to try.
Rihaakuru is a traditional Maldivian dish that mostly accompanies rice. Making Rihaakuru takes a lot of time, as it is made from Tuna after prolonged heating until it becomes a dark and thick paste. Although Rihaakuru doesn't look too pleasing, it's still a famous traditional dish. You can eat Rihaakuru with rice or with Maldivian flatbread. The locals enjoy eating Rihaakuru along with other fish, coconut leaves and chillies.
A popular and all-time favourite dish, Kulhimas is made with yellowfin tuna. A dish that is commonly eaten at breakfast, it comprises a blend of mixes such as hanaakuri havaadhu and lonumiris havaadhu. This dish is a lovely shade of dark red and has a bit of gravy.
A deeply comforting and easy to make dish is Muguriha, which is essentially a dhal curry. Although Muguriha did not originate from the Maldives, the version that is cooked in the archipelago is different to its neighbouring countries. Muguriha is mild in flavour and not too spicy, therefore, it is a favourite among those who cannot tolerate a lot of spice! The best part about muguriha is that it can be eaten with almost anything.
One of the more basic, yet traditional, dishes in the Maldives is Garudhiya, which is simply clear fish broth. This dish has been a favourite of locals for several years and is made with different species of tuna such as yellowfin tuna, skipjack or little tunny. Cleaned pieces of fish are boiled in water together with some salt, afterwards, the foam that forms is discarded. Garudhiya is eaten with a bowl of steamed rice, Maldivian chapati or steamed breadfruit.
Another tuna dish, masfen is slightly different, as this time, the tuna is made with coconut milk, lemon, curry leaves, onions and chillies. This creamy dish is ideal for pescatarians! The best restaurants in Maldives, such as those in properties like Amilla Maldives Resorts and Residences, serve this dish along with other traditional Maldivian dishes. Common accompaniments to this dish are smoked fish and dried leaves, along with fresh rice.
A common snack in the Maldives, evening tea is incomplete without this. This triangular-shaped snack is filled with spicy curry and is always there in almost all households during special occasions. Different types of spices along with smoked fish are wrapped in a thin dough and then deep-fried.
A popular Maldivian breakfast, mashuni is made up of fish and desiccated coconut. These two popular ingredients are combined with onion, chilli and lemon and come in a lot of different flavours. If you're a lover of fish, more specifically tuna, then the Maldives will not leave you disappointed, as fish is definitely the main ingredient in most of their dishes.
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.
