By Daniel Suh
The Maldives, a country famous for its white-sand beaches and picturesque scenery, offer some of the most delicious cuisines found in this world. Maldivian cuisine is rich in different flavors, ranging from mouth-watering sweetness to fiery spiciness, with something everyone can enjoy. It has three main staples, which are coconut, fish, and different types of curry.
As the archipelago is surrounded by water, fish play a significant part in Maldivian culture. Lots of Maldivian cuisine is made out of either dried fish or regular fish (tuna is the most popular fish in the Maldives, along with Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Big-Eyed Scad). Tuna is prepared, cooked, cured, smoked, or sundried. Processed tuna is used widely and is often called Maldives Fish. Soft processed tuna is often used to make curry and is used in a lot of tuna dishes. Other fishes like Mahi Mahi and Wahoo are sometimes used in curry, but more often they are grilled. They can also be processed just like tuna and can also be boiled. Mas Huni is a popular traditional Maldivian breakfast food made of dry processed tuna, coconut, onions, and chili. Another vital dish made out of tuna is a thick brown paste called Rihaakuru.
Curry is a very popular food in the Maldives and has developed a wide variety of flavors. You can have chicken and fish curry, or you could choose to have vegetable curries. Maldivian curry has many exotic flavors that you will not be able to find anywhere else. The most popular curry dish is Mas Riha which is made out of diced fresh tuna, coconut, peppers, and plenty of fresh chilies. Another fan favorite curry dish is a chicken curry made out of many different varieties of spices, which gives the curry an out-of-this-world experience.
As the Maldives's prominent religion is Islam, there are almost zero dishes that have pork in them. However, due to the huge tourism industry in the Maldives, you can find the exception of pork curries and more, in popular tourist areas. The Maldives also has an assortment of vegetable curries for people who don't like to eat meat. Vegetable Curries are most often made out of eggplants, pumpkin, tora, unripe green bananas, coconut milk, or curry paste blended with onions, herbs, spices, and chili peppers. No matter what your taste palette is like, you can find a curry that you will love in the Maldives.
Coconut is not only widespread in Maldivian Cuisine but the Maldives itself. Coconut is grown on every island in the Maldives and is essential to Maldivian Cuisine. The coconut is used in a variety of ways from being grated and shaved to a liquid form such as coconut milk, and as oil in deep-fried dishes. Coconut milk is vital and is used as much as it is in food as in drinks as well; it is used to create “mocktails” or nonalcoholic cocktails.
One of the most popular foods in the Maldives is Garudhiya, a fish soup that is enjoyed by tourists and natives alike. It is made out of lime, which is served with hot rice, and raw tuna. It is delicious and the fresh tuna only makes the dish taste even better. Another popular dish is Kulhi Boakiba, which are traditional Maldivian fish cakes. People from the Maldives have enjoyed fish cakes for thousands of years and it is a common dish to celebrate the holidays.
Maldivian Cuisine offers a variety of tastes so that even the pickiest of mouth can find something to enjoy there. The food there is amazing with different flavors that are unique to the Maldives. The next time you go to the island for a vacation, make sure to check out the food before the beaches.
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