Joanna James
When one hears about the Maldives, it's bound to be about fancy resorts and pristine beaches of white sand. But that's not all one could enjoy in the Maldives... the local cuisine is often overlooked. If you are planning on visiting the islands, please do try Maldivian cuisine during your explorations. Here are a few of the most authentic dishes you cannot miss out on tasting during your time here.
This dish is the Maldivian staple and is the perfect dish that makes tuna the star. Yellowfin tuna is the commonly used ingredient apart from skipjack. The fish is cut into chunks and boiled to create a clear broth. The broth is flavoured with ginger, black pepper, garlic, lemon juice, chilli and grated coconut. This delicious fish soup is usually served with steamed rice or roshi (a flat bread with a soft inside and a crispy outside). Garudiya is sometimes available on the menu at luxury dining restaurants too.
While most of the local cusine uses fish as the main ingredient, there are rare occasions on which you will find an enticing curry with chicken as the masterpiece. Kukulhu rihaa is basically braised chicken with a fragrant coconut milk sauce. Once boiled, coconut milk is added to the remaining chicken broth and spiced with curry leaves, scotch bonnets an cardamom. The curry is best served with roshi or steamed rice.
From the streets of Male to the restaurants at resorts by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Masi Huni is one of the most available breakfast dishes you can try in the Maldives. Prepared with shredded tuna, grated coconut, chilli and lemon juice. This is once again served with roshi. The best part? There's a vegetarian version too with caramelised batana or roasted pumpkin.
A cherished Maldivian dessert, Handulu Bondibai is a rich and aromatic rice pudding traditionally prepared for special occasions like Eid celebrations and baby naming ceremonies. The dish is made by simmering rice in creamy coconut milk and water, infused with fragrant cardamom pods, pandan leaves, and a touch of sugar. Just before serving, a hint of rosewater is added, enhancing its floral sweetness. The pudding, sticky and indulgent, is often enjoyed by rolling it into bite-sized balls and pairing it with smoked fish for a contrast of flavors. For an authentic taste, explore the lively eateries on Maafushi Island, where this beloved treat is a staple.
Kulhi Boakibaa is a classic Maldivian fishcake, embodying the archipelago’s love for flavorful ‘small eats.’ This savory delicacy is made by blending flaked tuna with ground cooked rice, fresh coconut, turmeric, ginger, and aromatic curry leaves. The mixture is shaped into a large, flat cake and baked until it achieves a crisp, golden-brown exterior. Once out of the oven, it’s sliced into wedges and best enjoyed alongside a steaming cup of kalhu sai, the local black tea. For the most authentic Kulhi Boakibaa experience, visit one of Malé’s bustling tea shops, where locals gather to savor this delicious snack.
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.
