If you’re looking for something new and unique to add to your culinary repertoire, then Maldivian cuisine is the perfect place to start. The cuisine of the Maldives is an exquisite blend of flavours from India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and many other nations that have traded with the country throughout its history. From flavorful curries and fragrant rice dishes to sweet desserts and savoury snacks, there are plenty of delicious dishes from Maldivian cuisine that are worth sampling. Here are 8 of the best dishes that you’ve got to try!
1) Dhon Riha
Dhon Riha is one of the most popular dishes of Maldivian cuisine. It is a delicious curry made with tuna, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and chilli. The ingredients are cooked together in coconut oil until they are tender and then served with steamed rice. The flavour is mildly spicy but full of flavour. Dhon Riha is a great meal to try when exploring the flavours of Maldivian cuisine.
2) Mas Huni
Mas Huni is one of the most popular dishes in Maldivian cuisine. It is a type of tuna salad made with freshly shredded smoked tuna, onion, chilli, and coconut. The dish is usually served with roasted or steamed bread or flatbread. It is a simple yet flavorful dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The flavours of the tuna and chilli work together to create a unique and delicious flavour that is perfect for any time of day.
3) Gaudiya
Gaudiya is one of the most beloved dishes from Maldivian cuisine. It is a fish soup made with white fish, curry leaves, turmeric, onions, and chilli peppers. This dish is usually served for lunch or dinner as the main course, but can also be enjoyed as an appetizer. The white fish used for this dish is typically either tuna or grouper. The flavor of Gaudiya can be varied according to taste, but typically it is spicy and flavorful. This dish is popular in the Maldives and is a must-try when visiting.
4) Boshi Mashuni
Boshi Mashuni is one of the most popular dishes in Maldivian cuisine. It is a traditional breakfast dish made of tuna, coconut, onion, chilli, and spices all mixed and served with chapati or steamed bread. This dish is usually served in most local restaurants and is a staple in many households. It is considered to be a very healthy and nutritious meal that is full of flavour.
5) Kukulhu Roshi
Kukulhu Roshi is a Maldivian cuisine dish consisting of a fried egg served with parboiled rice. The egg is first cooked in oil until it is crispy, then topped with a freshly grated coconut-onion mix and served with parboiled rice. It is usually garnished with green chilli, lime wedges, and pickles, giving it a unique flavour that many people enjoy. The dish is usually eaten as a breakfast meal or as part of a larger meal. Kukulhu Roshi is a popular dish throughout the Maldives and is often served at traditional celebrations and festivities.
6) Biriyani
A staple dish in Maldivian cuisine, Biriyani is an aromatic and flavorful rice-based dish with its origins in India. It is a combination of spices, meat, vegetables, or seafood cooked together in a traditional clay pot called a “hands”. The most popular ingredients used in Biriyani are cardamom, cloves, star anise, bay leaves, and cinnamon, which give the dish a fragrant aroma. Rice is then added to the pot and cooked until it is fluffy and tender. It is then garnished with fried onions, cilantro, and raisins to complete the dish. Biriyani is often served with a side of pickle or yogurt.
7) Fihunu Mas
Find Mas is a delicious fish-based dish that is popular in Maldivian cuisine. It is made with tuna or any other white fish and coconut milk, along with spices and herbs such as curry leaves, chilli, onion, and garlic. The dish is usually served with steamed rice and it can also be eaten on its own. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavours of Maldivian cuisine. Another favourite dish in the Maldives is mas huni, which is shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, chillies, onions, and lime juice. The ingredients are blended until they form a paste, which is then shaped into small balls and grilled over an open flame.
If you’re looking for something sweet, then kulhi boakiba is your best bet – a baked pastry filled with sweetened coconut. Guha is another traditional snack, deep-fried dough balls stuffed with fish or vegetables that are typically served as appetizers or snacks. If you’re looking for something spicy, then rihaakuru mas mesa is a must-try – a hot and spicy mixture of fish, tomatoes, and onions cooked in thick gravy. For dessert, try bajiya – deep-fried pastries filled with sweetened banana and grated coconut. Whatever your tastes may be, there are plenty of ways to experience the unique flavours of Maldivian cuisine!
8) Roshi
Roshi is a type of flatbread that is a staple in Maldivian cuisine. It is made from wheat flour and is usually served with curries or other dishes. Roshi is very easy to make and is also a popular snack. It can be served plain, or with coconut or honey to add sweetness. Roshi is a great accompaniment to any dish, and it is an essential part of traditional Maldivian cuisine. Other important components of the country’s gastronomy include garudhiya, mas hunt, and find mas.
Garudhiya is a clear fish soup cooked with lemon juice and chilli peppers for flavour. Mas huni is similar but contains shredded tuna instead of fish, as well as onions and chillies. Find mas is a spicy tuna dish made by marinating fish in oil and spices such as turmeric, cumin, cardamom, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and garlic. All these classic dishes are delicious representatives of Maldivian cuisine. Additionally, the seafood here is some of the freshest in the world due to the abundance of ocean life around the islands. So whether you’re enjoying a classic curry or indulging in seafood fresh off the boat, there’s something for everyone when it comes to Maldivian cuisine.
