The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Maldivian Foods. If you manage to be in an Maldivian restaurant or you are visiting Maldives, I recommend the following:
1. Fish Curry
Curry is one of the most popular dishes in Maldivian cuisine, from fish and chicken curry to vegetable curry, rich in spices and exotic flavors, are the most popular and favorite dishes in the country. It varies from region to region and also from chef to chef. The most popular are egg, chicken curry or fish curry (mas riha) made with fresh diced tuna, coconut, paprika and lots of fresh chillies, while chicken curry known as Kukulhu Riha is also a favorite, filled with various spice blends.
2. Dhon Riha
Curry is a popular dish in the Maldives, which came to the islands from South India and Sri Lanka, but the Maldivian people made it their own. This dish is also called tuna curry. Spices not only create flavor but also color, which is an important point for a particular dish. The right combination and proportion of spices to achieve the right flavor is very important when cooking Maldivian curry. Dhon Riha is one of the most popular and is eaten with roti or rice.
3. Kavaabu
Kavaabu is a traditional snack that originated in the Maldives. These fish fritters are usually made with smoked tuna, onion, ginger, grated coconut, chili, lemon juice, rice, curry leaves, flour, turmeric, oil and salt. Mix this mixture of ingredients with a little flour and roll into balls. Fry the balls in a large hot oil until golden brown. Drain and serve hot or cold. It is recommended to enjoy kavaba with tea.
4. Kulhi Boakiba
Fishcake could only exist in a place like the Maldives, and the truth is that it is one of the most consumed dishes at celebrations or as an accompaniment to coffee. Kulhi boakiba is made with smoked tuna, bits of coconut, onion and rice, resulting in a very curious fish cake.
5. Mas Huni
Since about 90% of the Maldives is made up of water, fish and various types of seafood form the mainstay of the nation’s cuisine. Especially for breakfast. Mas huni is a typical Maldivian dish consisting of tuna, onion, coconut and chili. The tuna is combined with spices and onion, grated coconut and served with chapati bread called Roshi and hot tea.
6. Hedhikaa
The popular hedhikaa are a kind of puff pastry filled with tuna, or fish croquettes or fish dumplings with ginger, pepper, onion and grated coconut. What I can assure you is that they are fishy and delicious!
7. Dhonkeyo Kajuru
It is actually a fried banana cake. Ripe bananas, sugar, flour and coconut pulp are used for the preparation. This mixture, to which a little vanilla is also added, is fried until golden brown. It is a sweet and delicious dessert very popular in restaurants and street food stalls.
8. Garudhiya
Fish will be present in a large part of the list and all its creative proposals. The one in question here is a fish soup that is very typical among the local population. Garudhiya is cooked using fish, water and salt. Sometimes onion, curry leaves, chillies and lime are added for extra flavor. It is served hot with steamed rice and lime.
9. Handulu Bondibai
It is a kind of sticky, sugary rice. It is a unique dessert made for special occasions such as the birth of a child and other celebrations. Eaten with ‘kulhimas’ or ‘bondibai’ (breadfruit tree, sago or rice parcels), this sticky, sugary rice dish is eaten in every household on the islands.
10. Roshi
Flatbread, called ‘roshi’, is a traditional Maldivian food. It resembles an Indian chapati or paratha. It is prepared with flour, coconut, a little salt and water. In addition to that, it is accompanied with other main dishes, such as Mas Huni.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.