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Dishes to Try in Maldives

Friend yams are delicious crunchy snacks that are made by frying yams which are very similar to sweet potatoes. This is a very famous  Maldives food which can be enjoyed by different sauces and drinks. Yams are a little sweeter on taste and are Starchier. These are used as a variation of french fries by many as they are high in fibre and vitamins compared to potatoes. When visiting Maldives, these yams are a must try and you can find them in almost all cafes and restaurants as they are a very popular food of Maldives

Price: MVR 10 - MVR 35

Where to get it: Cafes in Raaveribe Maizaan, Male

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Fish curry is one of the most famous food in Maldives due to the abundance of freshwater fish. Fish curry is considered as a staple food and you can find it in wide varieties. The top varieties of fish used in maldives for this recipe include little tunny, bigeye scad, yellowfin tuna, frigate tuna,  skipjack tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Mainly there are three main foods involved in making this curry which are fish, coconut and starch. It can be enjoyed with rice,  roshi and papadhu, and also Maldivian poppadoms.

Price: MVR 15 - MVR 75

Where to get it: Sunset Corner, Kaalamaa Restaurant, Maafushi,  Café Sea Breeze and Bandos.

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Gulha is a typical  Maldives food which is made of wheat or rice flour dough filled with tuna fish, chopped onions, coconut as well as chillies. They are like small dumplings and taste absolutely delicious. These are crunchy on the outside as they are fried and soft on the inside.

Some chefs also add  turmeric, lime juice and chopped curry leaves into the filling mixture. Gulha makes for an amazing evening snack and can be enjoyed with tea as well as coffee. This is a hit in Maldives and you should try atleast once.

Price: MVR 2 - MVR 10

Where to get it: Faruma Restaurant, Dhiffushi Island, The Lighthouse Restaurant and Sunset Corner, Thoddoo 

Also Read: Best Things to Do in Maldives with Family

A famous breakfast in Maldives, Mas Huni is a shredded smoked Tuna mixed with onions, chillies and  coconut. It is a very running dish in maldives and is most eaten with Roshi which is a flatbread. Fish used is mostly tuna. Mas Huni is also prepared using muranga pods.

These pods are boiled first and then the flesh with the seeds is removed. You can also find Mas huni made with boiled butternut squash or pumpkin. Relish on this rare delicacy of Maldives and indulge is a fusion of flavours. This is a must try food of Maldives.

Price: MVR 50 - MVR 250

Where to get it: The Sea House Maldives, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Crystal Sands, Maafushi and At many restaurants in Raaveribe Maizaan

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Lobsters are a main dish of Maldivian cuisine and if you want to enjoy the most lip smacking lobster then it definitely has to be cooked in front of you and served hot. The more freshly cooked the lobster is, the more soft as well as delicious it tastes.

You can enjoy live lobsters at many places in Maldives and this is a popular dish and many restaurants serve it in their own style. Sit and relax while you watch the dish being prepared by the most professional chefs. This is a must have experience if you are a seafood fan. 

Price:  MVR 250 - MVR 400

Where to get it: Sea Fire Salt, Anantara Dhigu, Restaurant Edge, Niyama and Ithaa Undersea Restaurant 

Suggested Read: 55 Places To Visit in Maldives

Masroshi is Maldives food that is eaten as a snack and is absolutely lip-smacking. Made with flour, it is typically a stuffed dough with a filling of tuna fish, coconut, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, hot peppers as well as onions and lime. The blend of these ingredients comes off so deliciously that you won’t be satisfied by eating just one. The dough is kneaded with warm water, oil and salt until it's soft. Small balls of dough are flattened and then stuffed with this mixture and made into a ball again. The dough is then flattened and cooked till golden brown on each side.

Price: MVR 7 - MVR 50

Where to get it: Café Rio, Male and Findhandi Restaurant

Also Read: 55 Resorts in Maldives

If you are a vegetarian then Saagu Bondibai is a must try dish amongst the  food in Maldives. It is basically a pudding made by boiling saagu seeds. The dish is prepared with Saagu and warmed with coconut milk. It is then laced with condensed milk and the taste of rose and cardamom adds cherry on the cake. It is an epic dessert and  is a hit amongst locals as well as tourists. When in Maldives, try a bowl of Saagu Bondibai and get the real taste of the island’s cuisine. 

Price: MVR 200 - MVR 500

Where to get it: Sea Fire Salt, Anantara Dhigu, Epicure, Niyama, The Lighthouse Restaurant

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Bis Keemiya is somewhat like spring rolls which are filled with a mixture of tuna or hard boiled eggs, some chopped onions and sauteed shredded cabbage. This fried pastry is a delicious dish and can be enjoyed with different sauces.

Some chefs also add curry leaves and chillies in the mixture of filling. You can also call Bis Keemiya as square Maldivian samosa. It is easy to make and tastes absolutely gorgeous. It is a great snack which is a hit in all locals of Maldives and is available in mostly all restaurants.

Price: MVR 2 - MVR 10

Where to get it: Available at many street cafes of Male and Hulhumale

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This is a fish cake made of smoked tuna, chopped onions, ground rice, ginger, garlic , chillies and scraped coconut. It is a special dish of the Maldives food and is mostly prepared in households on special occasions and celebrations.

Enjoy Kulhi Boakibaa with a hot cup of tea as nothing can beat this combination. This dish is a great great snack and is also very filling due to the presence of rice. It  can be prepared in an oven or on a stovetop as well. Since it is basically a baked dish, it makes for a healthier option for all fitness freaks and calorie conscious people. 

Price: MVR 50 - MVR 100

Where to get it: SeaLaVie Café, Ukulhas, Salathai Café, Male, Findhandi Restaurant, Komandoo

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Aluvi Boakibaa is a lip smacking coconut and sweet cassava cake which is super softs and literally melts in your mouth. It is one of the most loved Maldivian desserts and is liked by locals as well as travellers. Due to its popularity it is readily available in many restaurants and cafes.

It is specially made during the months of Ramadan. For preparation, coconut, cassava, sugar and the jasmine flower water are blended into a paste and baked for about 1 hour 15 mins until it is golden brownish. It is then cooled and sliced and ready to eat. 

Price: MVR 50 - MVR 70

Where to get it: City Bakery, Salathai Café, Male and Fine Bake by Suzi

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Rihaakuru is a thick sauce prepared by cooking fish on low flame for a very long time. If you are someone who loves spices then this is a must try dish in Maldives cuisine for you. It can be light brown to dark brown in color and is eaten with Roshi that is a flatbread. This is a common dish and a staple food of Maldives prepared in almost every household. High in protein and low in fats and carbs, it is a great food of this island nation.

Price: MVR 50 - MVR 150

Where to get it: SeaLaVie Café, Ukulhas, Iberry Café, Hulhumale and Jazz Café, Male

Maldivian Vegetable Curry also commonly called as Tharukaaree Riha is a great option for vegetarians amongst the food in Maldives. Where mostly all dishes in Maldivian cuisine are made with fish, this curry is loaded with vegetables.

It is prepared using vegetables like pumpkin, beans, sweet potato, carrots etc, favoured with curry leaves and is enjoyed with or without Roshi. The dish has taken a great influence from Indian and Sri Lankan culture and you will realise this with the first bite.

Price: MVR 25 - MVR 50

Where to get it: Amore, Guraidhoo and Street cafes in Male west harbour area

Lucky & Al is a famous cocktail of Maldives that is made using many strong combinations of spirits that turn to give it an intense flavour.  It is a classy cocktail and is only served at Avi Pool Bar on Velaa Private Islands

For paying homage to Prohibition Era in the US this cocktail was made and is served with a vintage 1930's Guy Lheraud, Vieil Armagnac and Salon 1988 Champagne. It is an expensive drink but is worth all the money. So, if you are someone who likes sipping new drinks, Lucky & Al should be a must try. 

Price: Approximately MVR 1,00,000

Where to get it: Avi Pool Bar, Velaa Private Island