Joanna James
Although most travellers holiday in the Maldives to enjoy its private resort islands and stunning beaches, the local culinary treats should be counted among the country's main attributes. Here are 7 dishes that every visitor must dig into during a trip to the Maldives.
This clear fish broth soup is considered comfort food by Maldivians living in the paradise isles as well as expats who reside abroad. Made using fresh tuna fish, the fish meat is slow cooked for a long while until the flavour is absorbed into the soup. Curry leaves, onion, turmeric, and a dash of lime are used to season this dish, which can be consumed on its own or eaten with a cup of steamed rice.
Resembling a bite-size dumpling, Gulha is a classic Maldivian snack that's prepared with tuna fish and flour dough (wheat or rice flour). Onions, coconut shavings, and chillies are also tossed into a tuna fish mixture before it is wrapped in dough and deep fried. Soft on the inside, Gulha is a crunchy pick-me-up that Maldivians enjoy at all hours of the day.
Vegetarians holidaying at OBLU SELECT Sangeli Maldives or any other property identified as the best family resort in the Maldives will find that this is among the healthiest snacks in the Maldivian culinary canon. Served with sauces that are spicy and savoury, yams are cut into thin slices and fried till crisp to create this treat that's loved by young children and adults alike. Packed with more vitamins and fibre than potatoes or even sweet potatoes, fried yams are regularly featured on cafe and restaurant menus.
A staple on every breakfast spread in the Maldives, Mas Huni is prepared using tuna fish and coconut. Mixed together with chillies and onions, the dish is comparable to a sambal in Thai cuisine. Usually eaten with Maldivian flat bread or Roshi, Mas Huni also pairs well with rice. Some locals like to toss in a few Moringa pods into the salad to add texture although the pods must be boiled and deseeded.
Also called Tharukaaree Riha, vegetable curries in the Maldives are perhaps the only dishes that are not infused with some variety of seafood. Popular veggie curries in the Maldives are usually made with beans, carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin and are infused with curry leaves and other herbs and spices. Coconut cream is also added to give the curries aromatic and thick gravy.
A filling that contains tuna meat, garlic, curry leaves, ginger, and coconut is stuffed into wheat flour dough to create this irresistible snack that also contains onions and hot peppers. The well-kneaded dough is flattened into small rounds and fried to perfection and served with tomato sauce by most street food vendors.
Bis Keemiya is also known as the Maldivian take on spring rolls. Hard-boiled eggs and tuna are the main fillings used in his dish, which also incorporates sautéed cabbage and onions.
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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.
