Maldives Food Guide: Seafood, Snacks, and More

The Maldives has turquoise lagoons, overwater villas, and also offers the world a rich and diverse culinary tradition. The food in Maldives is similar to its geographical settings as it is encircled by the Indian Ocean and the contributions of South Asian, Arabian and African cuisines. Be it fresh seafood grilled on coconut charcoal or aptly sweet tropical desserts, Maldives food presents a feast of the senses that is comforting and exotic at the same time.

This guide will take the plunge into the traditional food in Maldives, local food, and must-try dishes and will make sure you know exactly what to eat and where to eat it once you visit the islands the next time. The food scene on the island is going to be a sight worth remembering whether you are on the Maldives vacation packages or going alone.

The Heart of Maldivian Cuisine: Seafood and Coconut

Maldives food is never complete without considering the two pillars of its culinary delights, which include seafood and coconut.

The favorite local Maldives foods to have are Mas Huni, a breakfast meal prepared by finely chopped tuna, grated coconut, and onions, and spiced with chili, and served with thin flat-breads known as roshi. It’s simple yet full of flavor. How the people of the islands adore the fresh catches off the sea is highlighted with dried fish that is marinated in lime juice and spices.

Coconut, on the other hand, imparts flavor and texture to the food in Maldives. It exists in various forms, such as grated, milked or oil form, which is added to savory and sweet preparations. You will find that most Maldives foods that are served in the resort buffet or local cafe will contain this all-purpose ingredient.

In case you are making a reservation for one of the Maldives vacation packages, then make sure you find the packages that include seafood barbecue or traditional food in Maldives.

Local Favorites and Street Snacks

Although resorts serve according to international preferences, to discover the local flavors of food in Maldives, it is best to visit the local cafes. These mini cafes are a source of low-cost home-type snacks which are consumed by the locals during the day. Bajiya – pastry pockets with fish, coconut and onions are another example of a very popular snack and it is similar to samosas but with its own twist of the island.

Other Maldives foods include Gulha, tuna and coconut balls that are fried small and are a quick bite and Keemia, made of fried fish roll that is best taken on the run. Bondibai, a sticky rice dessert that is served with coconut milk and sugar to give it a sweet taste, provides a soothing end to any meal for people who have a sweet palate.

These snacks also show the nature of the traditional food in Maldives as it is a mixture of the locally sourced food and centuries-old culinary tradition. Trying these foods can be a way of learning the local food culture, particularly if you are exploring the Maldives on a budget.

Some of the Maldives vacation packages will involve trips to populated islands where the tourists will have an opportunity to sample street Maldives foods with locals. Should you also be blessed, you may even have an opportunity to attend one of the cooking classes, where you can learn how to prepare such Masroshi or Rihaakuru, the fine-rich savory fish paste that so many locals adore.

Resort Dining: Blending Tradition with Luxury

The Maldives food in the resorts blends the traditional flavors of the islands with the international fine cuisine. The majority of the luxury properties provide thematic dining evenings, during which the chefs recreate the traditional cuisine in the Maldives with a creative touch.

Getting Maldives food at a resort also implies that you get a stunning view, either a candlelit dinner or a dinner by the sea with a star-lit sky. Most packages to the Maldives are full board or half board to the Maldives and this will give an opportunity to the tourists to have all the fun and not to worry about their feeding costs.

In order to enjoy your vacation packages to the Maldives, you should not skip out on the resort as well as the local dining experiences. One night, go take a meal in a beach-side restaurant, and the following, travel five minutes to explore real food in Maldives by visiting restaurants run by small families. This harmony seems to give a genuine flavor of life on an island, lavish and natural.

Although your resort might be focused on international cuisine, there will always be Maldives dishes such as Fish Curry, Garudhiya (clear fish soup) and Coconut desserts and you will never lose touch with the country’s cuisine.

Drinks and Dining with Scenic Views

The trip will not fail when it comes to Maldives food and views. Breakfast with a beach view, lunch in an underwater restaurant or dinner in a sun set cruise; the atmosphere will make each meal extra special.

Start your day with starting out with the tropical fruits, papaya, banana and watermelon and continue ahead with fresh juices or coconuts to drink out of the shell. This is all the naive joys that perfectly define the feeling of the island.

Many of the resorts provide coffee lovers with Maldivian coffee that is prepared using coconut milk, a local touch that adds flavor. Serve it with a pastry or snack such as Boshi Mashuni which is prepared using banana flowers and shredded coconuts.

In need of an immersive experience, go to a sunset fishing tour or a sandbank dinner tour, which most Maldives vacation packages usually cover. You will enjoy the fish grilled just on the beach and will be a witness to how the Maldivians can turn the simple into the culinary.

The commitment towards sustainability and fresh ingredients employed in the country will make even the simplest of food in Maldives leave a healthy and nice taste. When one is interested in enjoying the local cuisines of the locals without spending a lot of money on traveling, it is very convenient to use pre-designed Maldives vacation packages that include a dining component.

Conclusion

Maldives cuisine is a feast of the sea and the islands – fresh, spicy and very local in nature. Breakfasts with tuna, curries made out of coconuts, crispy snacks, and tropical desserts are only a few of the Maldives foods varieties that will make this a culinary trip like none before.

If you need to enjoy the best of what the Maldives has to offer, check out the different Maldives vacation packages offered by Travelodeal. These carefully developed vacation packages in the Maldives are a blend of comfort, culture and culinary exploration of the island, where you get to experience the best of the island. Whether you explore traditional food in Maldives, or watch the sunset while trying local seafood, this will be a trip to remember.