Maldivian Delicacies – Dishes You Need to Try

One of the best parts of visiting new places is the chance to try out the local cuisines. It’s an excellent way to grow your palate and discover brand new favourites. In the spirit of that culinary curiosity, why not take a sample of these fine Maldivian dishes if you ever find yourself at the beautiful islands of the Maldives.

Bis Keemiya 

This Maldivian pastry is sort of a cross between a samosa ad spring roll if you’ve ever wondered what that was like. The filling of this delicious delicacy is gently sauteed and shredded cabbage, sliced onions and hardboiled eggs or, if you’re in a mood for seafood, tuna. All of this is surrounded by a light and wonderfully flaky pastry that is sure to delight your taste buds with every bite.

Boshi Mashuni 

Another combination dish here, this time between a salad and salsa, Boshi Mashuni is a meld of crunchy, shredded banana flowers, fresh coconut. Along with that are some curry leaves, turmeric and cumin to add some savoury depth to the dish and for a bit of zest and heat, lime and Maldivian chilli are also added. It’s quite a pretty looking dish, one that fits perfectly with the image of Maldives as a tropical paradise.

Garughiya

This traditional Maldivian dish is one of the basic food items within the local population and is highly recommend for fans of miso or dashi. The dish is generally prepared using tuna to give the broth a strong umami flavour. Cubes of fish, curry leaves, onion, chilli and garlic are all boiled together in water and the final product is then seasoned with crunchy fried onions and a squeeze of lime. 

It’s quite a simple dish in its preparation but the end result is mouth-wateringly delicious. A nice warm refresher in the evening after a day out in the waters.

Saagu Bondibai

Sago, for those who don’t know, is a spongy starch that’s extracted from the pith of tropical palm stems. In the Maldives, these tiny spheres of scratch are utilized to create a wonderfully rich and tasty pudding. The sago is warmed with coconut milk with some added cardamom and rose and finally topped with creamy condensed milk. It’s sweet, creamy and absolutely delicious.