Maldives | Savories in the Island
If the thought of sitting in a restaurant with a beach view, breathing in the aroma of the smoked tuna with a glass of wine in your hand makes you happy; or the idea of going on a food walk, hanging around the local food joints excite you, then read on!
Here is a curated list of the popular food, evening snacks, savoury dishes, desserts, drinks, and where to find in Maldives them for a smoother food hunt. One thing that we are sure of is that these delicious delicacies and refreshing beverages of Maldives will leave your stomach full and mood happy.
Garudhiya
Try this traditional dish of Maldives which is also one of the basic food items of the local population – Garudhiya is a fragrant fish soup that is usually cooked using fish, water and salt. It is served with lime, rice, chilli and onions.
Mas Huni
A prevalent food in Maldives, Mas Huni – shredded smoked Tuna, served with grated coconuts, lemon and onions is a must try. The dish is undoubtedly the most popular Maldivian breakfast, eaten with chapati bread called Roshi.
Masroshi
Masroshi is a chapati, stuffed with smoked tuna and coconut. The added flavour of curry leaves and spices will make you go ‘mmmmmm!’
Bis Keemiya
Somewhat like a samosa and spring roll, Bis Keemiya is an interesting dish that makes for a good snack. It’s a pastry filled with tuna/hardboiled egg, sliced onions and gently sautéed, shredded cabbage. The authenticity of the flavours makes it a must try food of Maldives.
Boshi Mashuni (Banana Flower Salad)
Somewhere between salsa and salad, Boshi Mashuni is a mixture of crunchy, shredded banana flowers and fresh coconut. While curry leaves, turmeric and cumin provide a delightful flavour to the dish, spices, lime and Maldivian chilli give it a tangy twist.
Fried Yams
Yams are one of those few crops that are grown in this astounding island nation. As a result, fried yams are quite a popular food in Maldives! Crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, the snack is served with sauces that make the experience worth all the pennies you spend.
Maldivian Live Lobster
Lobster tastes best when cooked alive – it melts in the mouth and leaves a unique taste. Eating the perfectly cooked Maldivian lobster served right at your table is a simple pleasure of life that you would not want to miss on!
Saagu Bondibai
Sago or sabudana is a popular ingredient of people’s diet in Maldives, and you will know why when you’ll try this pudding made of sago. It is warmed with coconut milk, and laced with condensed milk. The essence of cardamom and rose makes the whole experience even better. It is one of the best vegetarian food in Maldives.
Reef Fish Cutlets
Reef fish is a very popular food in the Maldives, and when it’s served in the form of Tandoor masala spiced reef fish cutlet, with sides like coconut and mint chutney/papaya/cucumber, who wouldn’t love it? Do try it out!
Gulha
Gulha is what’s called a ‘short eat’ or ‘evening snack,’ which tastes great when served freshly baked with tea or coffee. These are small bite-sized dumplings filled with Tuna fish, onions, chilli and grated coconuts.
Kulhi Boakibaa
Kulhi Boakibaa is a fish cake and a must-try Maldivian food. It is cooked on special occasions in Maldivian homes but can be found in many cafés easily. The cake is made of smoked tuna, scraped coconut, onions and ground rice.
Aluvi Boakibaa
Aluvi Boakibaa is a sweet cassava and coconut cake that melts in the mouth and transports one to heaven! It is liked by locals and tourists alike making it an integral part of food in the Maldives.
Fish curry
Majority of popular food in Maldives include fish, so how can you not try the very basic and very important Fish curry – creamy, flavoured and spicy. Favourite fishes include skipjack tuna, little tunny, yellowfin tuna, frigate tuna, bigeye scad, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Fish curry is served with rice, roshi and papadhu, and Maldivian poppadoms.
Rihaakuru
A traditional food of Maldivian cuisine, Rihaakuru is a thick paste made by cooking fish for a very long time. This spicy dish is a favourite in Maldivian households. Tear off a piece of the roshi, dip it in the Rihaakuru, eat, and repeat until your tummy is satisfied!
Maldivian Vegetable Curry
In a place where fish is an ingredient for most of the dishes, Maldivian Vegetable Curry, also known as the Tharukaaree Riha, is a great option for vegans/vegetarians. A result of the huge Indian and Sri Lankan influence on Maldives, this curry full of vegetables like sweet potato, pumpkin, beans, carrots etc., flavoured with pandan leaf and curry leaves is a delicious and healthy dish loved by the locals!
Sai (Tea)
Maldivians follow the British tea tradition, kalhu sai (black tea) or kiru sai (milk tea) are enjoyed with sweet bites or salty snacks. So, tea lovers rejoice!
Maldivian Lady
Give your senses a good treat with the fresh and tropical aroma, and fruity taste of this Maldivian drink made of white rum skinned, apricot brandy, grenadine, orange and pineapple juice. Imagine sitting under the night sky, amid a cool breeze, sipping this drink. Paradise, right?
Biyadhoo Special
Named after the Biyadhoo Island in Maldives, the Biyadhoo special is a refreshing combination of alcohol and fresh juice. Served in the traditional stemmed cocktail glass, it is one part vodka, one part pineapple juice, and two parts melon liqueur, with a slice of pineapple. The tropical flavour with hints of vodka will leave you in that perfect tipsy mood.
Lucky & Al
Maldives’ premium and one of the most expensive cocktails, Lucky & Al is a strong combination of spirits, giving this classy cocktail a distinct and intense flavour. Apparently, it was created to pay homage to the Prohibition Era in the US and is served with a vintage 1930’s Guy Lheraud, Vieil Armagnac and Salon 1988 Champagne. Made with the finest ingredients, this classy cocktail is definitely not cheap, but worth all the money it costs!
Gulab Jamun
Yes, this popular Indian delicacy – spongy milky balls soaked in rose scented sugar syrup is also loved and served in Maldives, and you should definitely try this perfect dessert!
