Influenced by nearby countries like India and Sri Lanka, the cuisine in Maldives also has its own unique characteristics and provides flavour-filled culinary discoveries.
Seafood
A key part of dining in Maldives is to savour the wide range of fresh seafood on offer which can be enjoyed at resorts like Adaaran Select Meedhupparu. Fish is the main seafood ingredient used with varieties of tuna being amongst the top choices, while lobster, crab and prawn dishes are also made.
Coconut
Coconut trees are widely seen throughout the islands and so, it’s no surprise that the humble coconut is a vital part of cooking in Maldives. The versatility of the coconut means that it’s used in various forms; grated coconut is a popular ingredient and it can also be soaked in water and squeezed to make coconut milk for dishes too.
Curries
The above-mentioned coconut milk is often a key ingredient when making Maldivian curries that are both spicy and full of flavour. Mas riha made using tuna is amongst the most popular fish curries, while kukulhu riha is a well-known chicken curry. Curries are also made from veggies like eggplant and fruits such as mangos.
Top Dishes
Apart from curries, there are many more traditional dishes in Maldives to try. These include mas huni, a much-loved breakfast dish made with tuna, a fish soup called garudhiya and bis keemiyaa, a deep-fried snack. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy desserts such as kiru bokiba (milk cake) and saagu bondibai (sago pudding).