country Essentials · 7 foods
Maldives Essentials
A considered first route through Maldives: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Maldives foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
7 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Maldives
Garudhiya
ގަރުދިޔަ
Clear tuna broth seasoned simply and eaten with rice, lime, chilli and onion across the islands.
Maldives
Mas Huni
މަސްހުނި
Smoked tuna, fresh coconut, onion, chilli and lime mixed for the defining roshi breakfast.
Maldives
Mas Riha
މަސް ރިހަ
Tuna curry in coconut milk with curry leaf and warm spice, eaten with rice or roshi.
Maldives
Rihaakuru
ރިހާކުރު
Tuna cooking liquid reduced for hours into a dark, intensely savoury paste central to Dhivehi food.
Maldives
Gulha
ގުޅަ
Small fried dough balls enclosing tuna, coconut, onion and chilli, sold as a classic short eat.
Maldives
Kulhi Boakibaa
ކުޅި ބޯކިބާ
Savoury baked tuna, coconut and rice cake cut into squares for tea or celebrations.
Maldives
Bondibai
ބޮނޑިބައި
Coconut-milk rice pudding scented with cardamom and served for celebrations and family milestones.