10 Maldives Seafoods You Must Try

The Maldives marine life makes the seafoods from Maldives very diverse and flavorful. You can find many types of fish that are juicy and mouth-watering, as well as shellfish like lobsters or prawns which have an irresistible taste. The scene for seafoods in the Maldives is a food lover’s dream, where you can experience culinary delights with every bite.

In this guide, we will give you ten suggestions to try out on your trip through the archipelago; these must-try Maldives Seafoods promise to make your taste buds enjoy themselves greatly. If you’re an experienced food lover or just interested in trying out local dishes, these Maldives Seafoods will definitely provide a genuine flavor of the island country’s abundant culinary tradition. So, get your taste senses ready and let’s immerse ourselves in the realm of Maldives Seafoods!

Top Maldives Sea Food Delicacies

a) Maldivian Tuna Curry (Mas Riha)

When discussing Maldives Seafoods, one must not forget to taste the famous Maldivian Tuna Curry, called Mas Riha in local language. It is a fragrant dish that represents the mainstay of food culture on these islands and displays Islanders’ skill at preparing their most common type of seafood – fresh tuna. This curry contains pieces of tuna cooked gently with a combination of coconut milk, curry leaves and different aromatic spices like cumin, coriander and cinnamon. The outcome is a rich, tasty curry that harmoniously combines the meaty consistency of the tuna with its intricate spice mix.

The special characteristic of Mas Riha, making it different from other seafoods in Maldives, is its adaptability. People can have this for breakfast, lunch or dinner – usually along with roshi (a kind of flatbread) or hedhikaa (small bites from Maldives). This dish not only pleases the taste but also gives a healthy food full of protein and good fats. You will understand it once you taste and enjoy each spoonful of this much-loved Maldives seafood. This dish has been appreciated for long time, still very special to people from the country and also tourists.

Price range: $10-$15 per serving

Where to get it: Seagull Café House, Fareedhee Magu, Malé, Maldives

b) Garudhiya (Maldivian Fish Soup)

Garudhiya, a Maldives seafood dish, is simple but rich in taste and loved by the people. It’s a clear fish broth made from slowly cooking parts of tuna along with water, salt and sometimes a touch of curry leaves. The simplicity in how it’s prepared keeps the taste purely about fish which makes this dish an authentic example for showcasing unaltered flavors found in Maldives Seafoods.

Garudhiya, which is typically eaten with steamed rice along with lime, chili and grated coconut, provides a light and satisfying meal. Usually, people who enjoy Garudhiya also add things like onions, garlic or chili peppers to it for more flavor. A unique characteristic of this dish is that it gives comfort – similar to how chicken soup does in other cultures (Garudhiya: Maldivian Comfort Food). No matter if you are in need of a speedy lunch or calming dinner, this Maldives seafood soup will surely do the job.

Price range: $8-$12 per serving

Where to get it: Salt Café & Restaurant, Hulhumale, Maldives

c) Maldivian Lobster

In the category of fancy Maldives Seafoods, the Maldivian Lobster is a top choice. These tasty crustaceans are caught fresh from nearby waters and cooked in different methods to satisfy your appetite. They can be grilled, steamed or added into curry for an excellent taste experience – their sweetness and tender flavor will surely leave you wanting more.

One method that people enjoy is called Chili Garlic Lobster, in this style the lobster gets stir-fried with spicy garlic sauce and it gives a nice mix of hotness and sweetness. Another liked way is Coconut Curry Lobster where the lobster’s meaty part mixes well with smooth, fragrant tastes from curry made using coconut milk base. People who love seafood should definitely try this Maldives variety because it can be cooked in many different ways.

Price range: $30-$50 per lobster

Where to get it: Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

d) Maldivian Reef Fish

The waters in Maldives, which are as clear as crystal, have many reef fish that make up a big part of the seafoods here. Fish such as grouper, snapper and job fish are especially liked for their white, firm meat and mild sweet taste. They get cooked whole on the grill with local spices and herbs added to enhance their flavor even more.

One special preparation is the Maldivian-style grilled reef fish, where the fish gets soaked in a blend of lime juice, chili, garlic and ginger before cooking it on charcoal. This process boosts up its regular taste while adding mild hints of smokiness. The outcome turns into a delightful seafood dish from Maldives that represents island cooking style perfectly. In the curries and stews of Maldives, reef fish is frequently included, giving a flexible choice for people who want to try various types of seafood from Maldives.

Price range: $15-$25 per serving

Where to get it: Muraka Restaurant, Mirihi Island Resort, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives

e) Kavaabu (Fish Fritters)

To sample Maldivian street food, try Kavaabu. It’s similar to a fish fritter that’s deep-fried and served as a snack. This dish wonderfully showcases the adaptability of Maldives Seafoods. Kavaabu is prepared by mixing grated smoked tuna, coconut, onions, and a combination of spices together. They are shaped into small balls or patties before being fried until they turn golden brown.

The outcome is a crispy outside that becomes gentle and tasty inside, full of sea flavor. Kavaabu is usually eaten as a fast bite or within bigger dinner, with it people like to have some hot sauce or chutney. What makes this Maldives special seafood treat stand out is its capacity to deliver intense taste in a small form. It provides an easy method for appreciating the flavor of tuna anytime and anywhere.

Price range: $5-$8 for a serving of 4-6 pieces

Where to get it: Night Market, Malé Local Market, Malé, Maldives

f) Maldivian Octopus Curry

Seafoods from Maldives, you may not think of octopus first but this creature with eight arms is significant in local meals. The dish Maldivian Octopus Curry, also called “Boava Riha” by people here, is one delicious recipe that displays the distinct texture and flavor of an octopus. At initial stage it gets made soft before cooking slowly within a curry prepared using coconut milk alongside curry leaves as well as mixtures of fragrant spices.

The special thing about this Maldives seafood dish is the combination of soft octopus and smooth, hot curry sauce. The octopus takes in the taste of the curry but still keeps its own flavor, making a pleasant mix of textures and tastes. You often eat this dish with rice or roshi. Local people as well as tourists who love trying new things enjoy it very much.

Price range: $18-$25 per serving

Where to get it: Tandoor Maldives, Hulhumale, Maldives

g) Kulhi Boakibaa (Maldivian Fish Cake)

Kulhi Boakibaa, a native snack of Maldives from the sea, is a dense cake composed of grated coconut, cooked tuna, onions, chili and different spices. This mixture is formed into a cake shape and baked until it turns golden brown. It provides strong taste due to the combination of coconut with tuna along with local spices in this recipe. People commonly eat Kulhi Boakibaa as an afternoon tea accompaniment or for quick snacks between their main meals.

The special aspect of Kulhi Boakibaa lies in its texture, which is crunchy on the surface and soft within, as well as its capacity to hold numerous flavors together. It shows how Maldives people have skillfully used their plentiful seafood resources in different parts of their cooking culture like main course items or snacks.

Price range: $6-$10 per piece

Where to get it: Jazz Café, Chaandhanee Magu, Malé, Maldives

h) Maldivian Crab Curry

Maldivian Crab Curry is a special Maldives seafood dish that highlights the islands’ supply of fresh crustaceans. Made with crabs caught locally, usually mud crabs or blue swimmer crabs, it involves cooking these in a sauce based on coconut milk and filled with spice. The curry gets its distinct flavors from typical Maldivian spices such as curry leaves, pandan leaves plus freshly grated coconut which adds to its taste complexity while balancing out the natural sweetness found within crab meat perfectly.

The Maldives seafood is well-known for its special combination of delicate crab meat with the strong taste of spicy curry sauce. Normally, this food comes together with rice or roshi that helps people enjoy and absorb all the delicious flavor from every part of the dish. When you eat Maldivian Crab Curry, it becomes an interactive activity because you need to break open the shells to get to the tasty meat inside – making it a real feast for your senses.

Price range: $25-$35 per serving

Where to get it: Sala Thai Restaurant, Hulhumale, Maldives

i) Fihunu Mas (Maldivian Grilled Fish)

Fihunu Mas, a classic Maldives seafood dish, reflects the straightforwardness and purity of island cooking. The process typically includes taking an entire fish – normally tuna or reef fish – that has been cut, rubbed with paste made from local spices, then grilled well. These spice mixes frequently contain chili pepper along with cumin and turmeric plus grated coconut which makes for tasty crust on top as it seals in all the juices within fish itself.

To clarify, what makes Fihunu Mas so special is its simple way of cooking that brings out the high quality of Maldives Seafoods. The dish is cooked to have a crispy and spiced outside with moist and flaky inside, which represents the taste of Maldivian flavors. People usually eat this with coconut rice and salad on side – it’s both satisfying as well as good for health!

Price range: $20-$30 per serving

Where to get it: Aioli Restaurant, Hulhumale, Maldives

j) Maldivian Seafood Platter

The Maldivian Seafood Platter is an excellent option for people who wish to try many types of seafood from the Maldives all at once. This lavish dish usually contains a range of the finest seafood that these islands can provide, such as grilled fish, lobster, prawns, calamari and occasionally even sushi-grade tuna. Every part is cooked in distinct ways and mixed with diverse spices displaying the flexibility found within Maldives Seafoods.

The Maldivian Seafood Platter, unique because it gives a whole experience of different seafood in one meal. This is very good for people who want to taste all the different flavors that Maldives seafood has. You can often find this platter served with many types of sauces – from sour lime and spicy chili dips to smooth curries made from coconut milk; this lets you personalize your seafood dish according to what you like best.

Price range: $50-$80 per person

Getting Place: Sea Fire Salt Restaurant, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Baa Atoll, Maldives

Bottom Line

The Maldives Seafoods scene is a mix of rich flavors and experiences. It shows the islands’ strong food history, as well as their many marine resources. You can find everything from old-style dishes such as Mas Riha and Garudhiya to more fancy foods like lobster or seafood platters. The variety in taste will make sure that there’s something for everyone’s liking. When you try these ten special Maldives Seafoods, it’s not only good for your mouth but also helps you understand about the culture here and how people live with sea life around them.