The Maldives local cuisine is a must-try for any tourist visiting the country for the first time. The cuisine is mainly based on seafood, fish, coconut, and spices and varies from island to island.
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10 Yummy Local Cuisines to Try in the Maldives in 2024
Here are some of the best local Maldives’s cuisines you should definitely try in 2024.
All of the resorts or hotels in the Maldives have liveaboards that always provide guests with options to try local dishes and drinks by regularly incorporating them into their menus.
1. Mas riha: fresh tuna, diced, spiced, and curried, served with flatbread and warm tea
Mas riha is a popular fish curry that is made in Maldivian cuisine and is commonly eaten with steamed white rice or roshi flatbread and hot tea. It is usually prepared with fresh tuna, diced and cooked with a mixture of fried onions and spices, and then boiled with coconut milk added towards the end of the cooking. The dish is a representation of Maldivian cuisine, which is based on fish, coconut, and spices. Recipes for mas riha can vary from island to island, but the main ingredients typically include tuna, onions, garlic, ginger, various spices, and coconut milk. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to experience the authentic flavors of the Maldives.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 15 to MVR 75
*Best Restaurant: Ufaa Maldivian Restaurant in COMO Cocoa
2. Bajiya: The Maldivian version of the samosa
Bajiya is also one of the most popular savoury snacks in Maldivian cuisine, made with a flavorful mixture of grated coconut, onions, green chilies, and spices. The filling is filled into a dough, which is then deep-fried until golden. It is a delicious teatime treat and a favourite snack in the Maldives for evenings with a beautiful oceanic or sunset view. This recipe for bajiya can vary, but the main ingredients typically include grated coconut, onions, green chilies, and a variety of spices. If you like crunchy food, then it is for you.
*Price: 4-5 pieces for $1 USD
*Best Restaurant: E-cafe on Huraa Island
3. Kukulhu riha: chicken cooked with various spices
Kukulhu riha is a flavorful Maldivian chicken curry made with tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich, aromatic combination of spices, onions, tomatoes, and coconut milk. It is a popular dish in Maldivian cuisine, delicately spiced with curry leaves and cardamom, and is typically served with steamed white rice or roshi flatbread. The recipe for kukulhu riha can vary, but it commonly includes ingredients such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried red chilies, black peppercorns, and cardamoms. It is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the Maldives best local food and authentic flavors.
*Price: $1 to $3 USD
*Best Restaurant: Ufaa Maldivian Restaurant in COMO Cocoa
4.Kulhi boakibaa: fishcakes made from ground cooked rice and tuna.
Kulhi boakibaa is a traditional Maldivian dish made from smoked tuna, rice, coconut, and a blend of spices. The ingredients are mixed into a thick paste-like mixture, spread evenly on a non-stick pan, and then baked until it turns brown. It is a popular snack in the Maldives, generally made on any occasion and as a teatime treat. The recipe for kulhi boakibaa can vary, but it typically includes smoked tuna, coconut, rice, onions, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, chilies, lemon juice, turmeric powder, and salt. It’s a delicious and unique dish that offers a taste of the authentic flavours of Maldivian cuisine.
*Price: local restaurants is around $1 to $3 USD ~ MVR 2 to MVR 10
*Best Restaurant: Bis Keemiya in the street cafes of Male and Hulhulmale
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5. Garudhiya: a fish broth
Garudhiya is a traditional Maldivian fish broth that is a staple in Maldivian cuisine. Generally, it is made with boing tuna fish and salt until it is well-cooked. The foam or scum is carefully removed while boiling and is later discarded. The broth is usually eaten with steamed white rice or roshi flatbread, and sometimes with steamed taro or breadfruit, to which grated coconut is added. Variations of garudhiya include adding chilies, curry leaves, and onions to flavour the broth according to taste. Kekki garudhiya is a variant of garudhiya with spices. You should try it if anyone is looking to experience the authentic flavours of Maldivian food.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 50 to MVR 200 ~ MVR 250 to MVR 400
*Best Restaurant: Muraka Restaurant in Jumeirah Vittaveli resort
6. Fihunu Mas: grilled fish and rice
Fihunu Mas is a traditional Maldivian dish consisting of grilled fish, typically served in the Maldives’ premier resort establishments. The dish features fish that is marinated with a blend of spices and then grilled until cooked to perfection. It is a popular and flavorful part of Maldivian cuisine, offering a unique taste experience for those visiting the Maldives.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 50 to MVR 200
*Best Restaurant: Muraka Restaurant in Jumeirah Vittaveli resort
7. Mas Huni: a puree of flaked tuna, coconut, onions, and chili that is eaten for breakfast and for holidays
Mas Huni is a traditional Maldivian breakfast dish made with a mixture of tuna, grated coconut, finely chopped onions, and chilli. The ingredients are typically combined and served with freshly baked roshi (flatbread) and sweetened hot tea. The dish is known for its simple yet flavorful combination of ingredients and is a staple of Maldivian cuisine. It offers a unique and authentic taste experience for those visiting the Maldives.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 50 to MVR 200
*Best Restaurant: Tasting Table
8. Reef Fish Cutlets: little tuna and potato croquettes seasoned with chilli, lime, and garlic before being breaded and fried
Reef fish cutlets are a popular snack in Maldivian cuisine and are also served in every cafe and restaurant. The dish is generally made in Maldivian style by boiling fish in water and then slathering it with Tandoor Masala while adding a filling. The filling is typically made with boiled and chopped potatoes, black pepper, red chilli powder, salt, yoghurt, lemon juice, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and sliced onions. This mixture is then deep-fried until crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. It is often served with sauces such as mint sauce, yoghurt dip, apricot sauce, tamarind sauce, chilli sauce, and ketchup. It is recommended to try, and you really like this Maldives food.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 50 to MVR 200
*Best Restaurant: Ufaa Maldivian Restaurant in COMO Cocoa
9. Bis Keemiya: a pastry filled with spiced fish, onions, and cabbage
Bis Keemiya is a popular Maldivian snack. It is similar to a samosa, consisting of a pastry filled with a savory mixture. The filling typically includes ingredients such as tuna, eggs, cabbage, onions, chilli, and a blend of spices. The pastry is then either baked or deep-fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is a delicious and flavorful snack that is enjoyed in the Maldives and is often served in restaurants, cafes, and by street vendors.
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 2 to MVR 10
*Best Restaurant: street cafes of Male
10. Saagu Bondibai: a sweet and creamy dessert made from sago, coconut milk, and sugar
If you would like to eat some sweat in Maldives local cuisine, then Saagu Bondibai is a traditional Maldivian dessert made with sago, coconut milk, sugar, and a blend of spices such as cardamom and rosewater. The sago is soaked and boiled with pandan leaves, sugar, coconut milk, and spices until it becomes transparent. Sweetened condensed milk is then added to the mixture before serving. It is a popular dessert in the Maldives and is often served during special occasions and festivals. Saagu Bondibai offers a unique and authentic taste experience for those visiting the Maldives. For more information, Visit Maldives
*Price: local restaurants: MVR 200 to MVR 500
*Best Restaurant: Sea Fire Salt, Anantara Dhigu, Epicure, Niyama, and The Lighthouse Restaurant
FAQ’s
- food in maldives for vegetarian
The Maldives offers a variety of vegetarian food options, including a range of local and international dishes, from Maldivian flatbread called roshi to Indian cuisine, such as Shahi vegetable Biryani, Paneer Butter Masala, and Tofu Curry Laksa.
- most popular food in maldives
The most popular foods in the Maldives include Garudhiya, a traditional fish soup; Kukulhu Riha, a delicious curry; Masi Huni, a spicy tuna dish; Handulu Bondibai, a sweet and sticky prawn snack; and Kulhi Boakibaa, Maldivian tapas, or small eats.
- The maldives local cuisine menu
Some of the most popular local dishes in the Maldives include Garudhiya (fish soup), Kukulhu riha (chicken curry), Masi huni (spicy tuna dish), Handulu bondibai (sweet and sticky prawn snack), and Kulhi boakibaa (Maldivian tapas or small eats), all of which are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional Maldivian spices.