17 Maldives Foods You Have To Try | Viva Holidays
Maldives food is a rich and exotic blend of three local staples: seafood, coconut, and starches such as rice, yam and cassava. Similar to the rest of the Indian subcontinent, Maldivian flavours are spicy and flavourful, and the fresh fish and fruit harvested on the islands are beyond compare. Not sure what to pick from the menu? Immerse yourself in the culture and sample some of the best food in Maldives, with these essential local dishes.
1. Mas huni: The Maldivian way to start the day
One must-try food in Maldives is the islands’ traditional breakfast: mas huni. This typical Maldivian dish is made from mas (fish) huni (coconut) and it’s a unique combination of shredded tuna, onion, coconut, chilli, lime juice and coriander. Bursting with flavour, mas huni is usually accompanied by a coconut-rich flat bread called huni roshi, a close relative of the chapati.
2. Roshi: the flatbread of the Maldives
As you’ll discover when you eat out in the Maldives, roshi is everywhere! Like its close cousin the chapati, roshi is a tasty, filling and versatile accompaniment to any meal. Its coconut-infused variation, huni roshi, is especially popular, being slightly thicker and crispier than the plain version. Eat your roshi with a traditional Maldivian curry, use it as a wrap with tasty fillings, or even have a sweet huni roshi as part of your dessert.
3. Garudhiya: staple meal of the Maldives
Eat like a true local, with a steaming bowl of garudhiya and coconut rice for your lunch. This classic fish broth is a staple in Maldivian cuisine, cooked with chunks of tuna in brine and flavoured with onion, garlic, chillies and curry leaves. Depending on where you eat, you can expect variations on this basic theme, with a mouthwatering array of different toppings and side dishes available. Try it with a serving of Theluli faiy, a dish made from fried moringa leaves. Or have your garudhiya with a side of sliced fresh mango, for that exotic island flavour.
4. Deep-fried yams: the French fries of the Maldives
With its idyllic sands and aquamarine seas, the Maldives isn’t so well known for its agriculture. But one crop that is produced in abundance on these shores is the yam; a root vegetable best described as a starchier version of the sweet potato. Fried in butter and served hot and crispy with a selection of sauces, these Maldivian kurukuru are the equivalent of french fries: an ideal street snack when you’re on the move. This staple Maldives food also makes a delicious side dish with your sit-down meal.
5. Kulhi Boakibaa: Maldivian fish cakes
A Maldives dish that makes its appearance at every special occasion, kulhi boakibaa is a flavoursome baked fish cake made from smoked tuna, rice, onions, garlic, ginger, chillies and coconut. Portable and easy to eat, kulhi boakibaa is a popular snack food that’s often accompanied by a hot cup of tea. Unlike some of the deep-fried foods on offer in the Maldives, it’s also a healthier option, widely available in local cafes.
6. Maldivian live lobster: the ultimate dining experience
Eating lobster in a Maldivian restaurant is an experience all of its own; your chef will prepare this local speciality right before your eyes. Famed as the ultimate luxury seafood dish, it’s said that lobster tastes its very best when cooked alive. So for a melt-in-the-mouth texture that can’t be bettered, your Maldivian live lobster is as fresh as they come. It’s usually served with just a sprinkling of lemon juice, so you can enjoy the natural flavour of this must-try Maldivian seafood speciality.
7. Mas Riha: Maldivian fish curry
Curries are a staple food in the Maldives and there’s a vast array of different dishes to choose from. But if you’re looking for a classic curry that encapsulates the flavour of the Maldives, we recommend the mas riha. Made with fresh tuna or swordfish, combined with an irresistible blend of coconut and chilli, garlic, ginger and aromatic spices, this stew-like curry is usually served in bowls with steamed rice.
8. Vegetarian curries: an alternative to seafood
Much of the traditional cuisine in the Maldives is made with fish. Tuna and reef fishing is an important economic driver for Maldivians, especially in the beautiful Baa Atoll biosphere reserve (where you can enjoy a luxury holiday!)But if you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t despair: there’s an abundance of plant-based Maldives food to try. Vegetarian riha (curries) are coconut-based dishes flavoured with local spices for that distinctive Maldivian piquancy. One such vegetable curry is tharukaaree riha, which is packed with veggies including pumpkin, beans, sweet potato and carrots. Or for a filling dish that ticks all the boxes, mugu riha is a lentil-based soup with curry leaves and coconut milk; the perfect comfort food!
9. Boshi mashuni: banana flower salad
A delectable delicacy you won’t find anywhere else, boshi mashuni is a must-try food during your stay in the Maldives. The star of this fragrant salad is the blanched and shredded banana flower; this crunchy, artichoke-like ingredient is mixed with a signature combination of fresh coconut, curry leaves, lime and chillies. Somewhere between a salad and a salsa, boshi mashuni makes a delicious and healthy vegetarian meal in itself. Eat it with a huni roshi flatbread if you’re extra hungry!
10. Gulha dumplings: perfect with a hot beverage
A street food favourite, traditional Maldivian gulha are deep-fried dumplings stuffed with fish, coconut and rice. Gulha are quick and easy to make, serving as a crunchy, satisfying snack to eat on the go. They’re also served in local restaurants, where the locals love to eat them alongside a cup of tea or coffee.
11. Rihaakuru: spicy Maldivian fish paste
Rihaakuru is a versatile, flavoursome fish dish, made from fresh tuna boiled down for many hours into a salty, concentrated paste. Dark brown in colour, rihaakuru is eaten by the locals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are variations on the theme; try it with huni roshi flatbread, fried onions and chillies for a satisfying kickstart to your day, or dine on a coconut-infused soup known as rihaakuru dhiya, for your midday meal. In the evening, rihaakuru boakiba is a savoury pancake dish that’s popular throughout the islands.
12. Banbukeyo Harisa (breadfruit curry)
With banbukeyo (breadfruit) trees growing in abundance on the islands, this tropical crop finds its way into much of the best food in Maldives. And if you’ve never tasted breadfruit, banbukeyo harisa is the perfect way to sample it! A Maldivian breadfruit curry popular with the locals, banbukeyo harisa is a creamy dish made with tuna, coconut and spices. Enjoy it with steamed rice or a roshi flatbread.
13. Bis keemiya: deep-fried snacks
A cross between a spring roll and a samosa, bis keemiya is a must-try food in the Maldives. This satisfying deep-fried snack comes with various fillings including onions and shredded cabbage; there are vegetarian versions available packed with egg and plant-based goodness, but fillings can also include tuna and meat. What really makes it such a joy is the texture of the crispy pastry when you sink your teeth in.
14: Saagu Bondibai: rich, coconut heaven
For those with a sweet tooth, saagu bondibai is the ultimate Maldivian dessert. Made from the starch derived from tropical palm stems, sago (saagu) is a widely-used ingredient throughout the islands, thanks to its easy availability. If you’re having misgivings about the idea of a sago pudding, it’s time to forget any memories of sludgy sago and tapioca. A world away from your old school dinners, the local sago speciality is considered by many to be among the best food in Maldives! A fragrant sago pudding boiled in coconut milk, cardamom and rosewater, saagu bondibai is a popular dish that’s widely served throughout the islands.
15. Dhonkeyo Kajuru: sweet fritters
Dhonkeyo kajuru, or banana fritters, are a moreish delicacy in the Maldives. Made with mashed ripe bananas, grated coconut, rosewater, sugar and vanilla, these deep-fried crispy treats are the perfect way to end your meal.
16. Aluvi Boakiba
Maldivian cuisine is heavily reliant on starchy staples such as cassava, a nutty-flavoured root vegetable native to the islands. And aluvi boakiba is one of those dishes that really brings this ingredient into its own. A cassava cake that’s traditionally eaten during Ramadan, aluvi boakiba combines coconut and jasmine with grated cassava for a rich texture and sweet taste. No wonder it’s one of the best-loved desserts in the Maldives.
17. Boakuri Banbukeyo: Candied breadfruit
A traditional treat in the Maldives, boakuri banbukeyo is a sugared breadfruit delicacy that will leave you wanting more. Sweet, sticky and syrupy, this local dessert also has an aromatic flavour that’s characteristic of Maldivian cuisine when cooked with native pandan leaves
Top tips for eating out in the Maldives
So now you know all about the essential must-try food in the Maldives. Here are a few extra tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your culinary experience on the islands.
What to drink in Maldives
● As the Maldives is a Muslim country, alcohol isn’t served outside of the tourist resorts. However, if you’re out and about and craving a beer, non-alcoholic beer is widely available.
● Non-alcoholic mocktails are a popular choice throughout the Maldives. For a tropical taste, why not go for a Coconut Kiss? This refreshing drink is made from fresh orange and pineapple juice with coconut cream
● If you’re in a resort where alcoholic cocktails are available, try the Maldivian Lady. This popular concoction is made from white rum, grenadine, pineapple juice and apricot brandy… The perfect honeymoon treat.
● To live like a true local, drink sai (tea). This is usually served black, and if you want to add milk, it may be of the powdered variety (there are no cows on the islands!)
● Bottled water is a must, as the tap water in the Maldives isn’t really suitable for drinking. Make sure you keep hydrated in the hot Maldives climate - refillable glass bottles are a great way to cut down on plastic waste.
● Freshly squeezed fruit juice is a wonderful way to start the day - get the tropical taste of the Maldives in every mouthful. Choose from local favourites mango, pineapple, papaya, watermelon or lime.
● Coconut water is another popular local beverage, thanks to the abundance of coconut palms all over the islands. But unlike the stuff you get from a health food store at home it’s not drunk from a carton but directly from the shell! Get yours from a stall near the beach, relax and enjoy its amazing power of hydration.
● Raa is a must-try toddy made from palm flowers.
How much does it cost to eat out in the Maldives?
While many resorts are all-inclusive, it’s nice to treat yourself to a meal out. The best food in Maldives can be surprisingly good value, and a snack from a street food stall in Male is a good way to save money on eating in a restaurant. However, outside the capital, the food scene is fairly formal, and there isn’t really a street food scene to speak of. The amount you spend will depend on your own budget, but it’s usual to spend MVR964 (around £50) per day on food.
Tipping in Maldivian restaurants
Tipping isn’t compulsory, as it’s usual for a 10% service charge to be added to your bill. However, if you’re really happy with the service, it’s a nice gesture to leave a tip.
International cuisine in the Maldives
It’s always good to get a feel for the local culture and sample the traditional cuisine. But as well as these amazing local delicacies, there’s an incredible range of international food available in the Maldives, especially in the tourist resorts. So whether you love Indian food or fancy an Italian meal, there’s something for everyone when it comes to dining out.
Book your Maldives holiday today
If your mouth is watering at the thought of all that Maldives food, it’s time to book your trip! With a variety of packages for all travellers, explore our Maldives deals today.
