20 Must-Try Dishes in the Maldives

Maldivian ‘Dhivehi’ cuisine is deeply influenced by the ocean and its neighbouring countries Sri Lanka and India. Main ingredients, namely fish, coconut, rice, fruit and vegetables feature in the majority of dishes. Dhivehi cuisine has a distinct taste that is complex yet perfectly balanced.

Dishes range from fish and coconut creations to street food snacks accompanied by roshi flatbread to flavoursome spiced curries. Recipes are passed down from generation to generation and many dishes are still prepared using ancient cooking techniques.

Here are the top 20 dishes to try whilst holidaying in the Maldives.

1. Garudiya
Garudiya is a clear fish broth cooked with salt and served with rice, lemon slices, onion and chilli.

2. Reef Fish Salad
Freshly caught reef fish is a very popular catch in the Maldives. The fish is marinated and served with green papaya, spiced kaffir lime leaves, fish masala, green chillies and coconut.

3. Tandoori Reef Fish Cutlets
Tandoor masala spiced reef fish cutlets are served with sides of coconut, mint chutney, papaya and cucumber.

4. Mas Huni
Mas Huni is a popular Dhivehi breakfast dish of shredded smoked tuna served with grated coconut, lemon and onions and is eaten with Roshi bread.

5. Masroshi
Masroshi is a traditional local snack consisting of fried chapati-type bread stuffed with smoked tuna and coconut. The added flavour of curry leaves, onions, garlic, ginger, chillies and lemon juice makes this a zesty snack.

6. Bis Keemiya
Similar to a samosa, Bis Keemiya is a pastry filled with tuna, hardboiled eggs, sliced onion and gently sautéed shredded cabbage.

7. Boshi Mashuni
Boshi Mashuni (Banana Flower Salad) is a blend of crunchy shredded banana flowers and coconut with turmeric, curry leaves, onion, lime, spices, cumin, and chilli adding to the rich flavour of the dish.

8. Fried Yams
Yams are one of the few crops grown in the Maldives. Fried in butter they are crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. This snack is served with different spicy sauces.

9. Kavaabu
Kavaabu is a deep-fried snack made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils, and spices.

10. Dhonkeyo Kajuru
Dhonkeyo Kajuru is a traditional fried banana cake flavoured with vanilla and rose water.

11. Saagu Bondibai
Sago is a popular ingredient in the Maldives, and Saagu Bondibai (sago pudding) is served with warm coconut milk, laced with condensed milk and essence of cardamom and rose.

12. Gulha
Gulha is an evening snack. It is served freshly baked with tea or coffee. These small bite-sized savoury dumplings are filled with tuna, onions, chilli and grated coconut.

13. Kulhi Boakibaa
Kulhi Boakibaa is a fish cake, mainly cooked on special occasions. The fish cake is made of smoked tuna, grated coconut, onions and ground rice.

14. Aluvi Boakibaa
Aluvi Boakibaa is a sweet cassava and coconut cake.  It is made using locally grown cassava.

15. Dhon Riha
Dhon Riha (tuna fish curry) is creamy and spicy and is made from a variety of different tunas with coconut, mango, cinnamon and ginger. The curry is served with rice, roshi and Maldivian poppadom’s.

16. Rihaakuru
Rihaakuru is a thick paste made by cooking fish for a very long time. It is most often used as a dip and locals enjoy dipping roshi into the Rihaakuru sauce.

17. Tharukaaree Riha
Tharukaaree Riha (Maldivian Vegetable Curry) consists of sweet potato, pumpkin, beans and carrots flavoured with pandan and curry leaves.

18. Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is an Indian-inspired dish of spongy milk balls soaked in rose-scented sugar syrup.

19. Handulu Bondibai
Handulu Bondibai (sweetened sticky rice) is a unique dessert made for special occasions. It is eaten together with breadfruit, sago or rice parcels.

20. Banbukeylu harissa
Breadfruit trees grow prolifically in Maldives and Banbukeylu harissa is a gastro-tribute to this delicious potato-tasting fruit – a steamed curry consisting of breadfruit, chilli, onion, and coconut.

A world of culinary discovery awaits you at Baros: start your Maldivian taste journey by getting in touch at [email protected].