Top Local Food in the Maldives 2025 - What's Rihaakuru
- Afrah F
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Maldives is one of those places everyone’s heard of, but few truly know beyond the postcard-perfect beaches. Sure, it’s famous for its stunning islands - but is that all there is to it? After wrapping up my trip to Vietnam and writing about it, I decided to take a quick blog detour. I noticed how many people online were asking about food in the Maldives. Some tourists don’t even leave their resorts?!
As a foodie, I needed to help you out. So here’s everything you need to know about the best food in Maldives - and a few tips to make your trip even better.
What is food in the Maldives like?
Many Maldivian dishes are seafood-based, with a variety of flavourful vegetable curries as well. If you’ve travelled to Sri Lanka or South India, you’ll notice some similarities in the cuisine. Many of their curries use coconut as a curry base, and you’ll also find familiar items like samosas and cutlets on the menu.
How expensive is food in the Maldives?
The Maldives is surely not your go-to Asian country for food. Compared to countries like Thailand, food is costly. 1$ equals 15 MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa). A regular curry and accompanying dish at a local eatery in Malé would cost about 5$. If you're going for a slightly higher-end restaurant, you'd spend about 12$ for a pizza and 10$ for two curries and bread.
Can you use credit cards in the Maldives?
If you're travelling in Malé and Hulhumalé, almost all restaurants and stores accept credit cards. But in other islands, it's best to carry cash. We recommend using Rufiyaa, but if you're out of local cash, you can withdraw cash from ATMs (there's at least one per island). Many places and activities, such as speedboats, accept USD too if you're out of options.
Is all food in the Maldives halal?
Yes, all food in the Maldives is halal as it's a Muslim country. You will not be able to find pork anywhere, just like in Istanbul. In this case, though, pork is prohibited, so you won't even find it in hotels.
What do people eat for breakfast in the Maldives?
The most popular breakfast in the Maldives is Mas Huni - also the national dish. It's a coconut tuna sambol that is usually served with fresh roti bread. You can find this anywhere in the islands as it's one of the local favourites.
What fruits can be found in the Maldives?
In resorts, you can find a variety of imported fruits. In Malé, you have supermarkets like STO People's Choice, where you can find everything you need. Plus, you can find local fruits like bananas, watermelon, papaya, and mangos, as well as many imported fruits from neighbouring nations. However, the country's own agriculture is largely based on coconuts and certain cereals. So coconut products are widely available.
Though it's an archipelago with many tiny islands, the Maldives has designated islands for agriculture, which are known as farm islands. Two of them are Aidhoo Island and Thoddoo Island. The interesting part is, you can visit these islands with guided groups. You can even learn about their cultivation techniques and such.
Is there vegetarian and vegan food in the Maldives?
Yes, absolutely! Maldivian cuisine is largely inspired by Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisines, which accommodate vegan diets. You'll find a lot of yummy vegan curries like murunga (drumsticks), but the Maldives' own authentic dishes are made with seafood. If you're a pescetarian, food here would be a total winner for you.
Top food you MUST try while in the Island Country
Rihaakuru - Fish Paste
Topping our list of best food in Maldives is Rihaakuru fish paste. Though it's not the national dish, I believe they should make this their national dish. It's super unique, and the locals love it. It's made with Tuna and Salt Water, and it can be stored for over a year. The most fascinating thing about Rihaakuru is its versatility. Maldivians even mix Rihaakuru with their local seafood dishes, making it a delicious condiment.
How is Rihaakuru made?
Rihaakuru is made by boiling tuna in salted water for several hours. Once the fish is fully cooked, it’s removed, and the broth is gradually reduced. The top layer is skimmed off, leaving behind a thick, rich fish concentrate.
What does it taste like?
Rihaakuru tastes like a thick, salty fish paste and cannot be eaten alone. You need a side like rice or roshi (roti). If you're not into salty food, you may not like its taste as a standalone dish. There are many ways to cook Rihaakuru. It's made into a pancake (folhi), mixed with tomato rice, added to coconut milk gravy (Dhiya), and cooked as a Rihaakuru curry. Some even make salads with it. It's that versatile.
Is Rihaakuru healthy?
Though it's high in protein and Omega 3, Rihaakuru might not be so healthy after all. It has a high concentration of sodium. Recent studies even found that Rihaakuru has Histamine (when made with poor quality raw fish), which causes food poisoning. Make sure you eat it in moderation, and drink a lot of water after eating Rihaakuru.
Garudhiya - Tuna Broth
Another simple yet delicious dish to try in the Maldives is Garudhiya. It’s a clear soup made with tuna, salt water, onions, lime, and a touch of seasoning. Some people add a spoonful of Rihaakuru to the broth for extra depth and a bolder flavour. It’s light, comforting, and full of island character.
Mas Huni - Tuna and Coconut Sambol
The beloved breakfast of the Maldives is Mas Huni. It translates to 'mixed fish'. Made with mashed tuna, grated coconut, onions, lime and seasoning, Mas Huni is not just limited to breakfast. You can eat it any time of the day. The taste of Mas Huni resembles Sri Lankan coconut sambol mixed with canned tuna. It's usually served with a side of roshi or rice.
Mas Roshi - Tuna Filled Pita Pockets
Mas Roshi is a local favourite in the Maldives, often called the “fisherman’s lunch” because it’s easy to pack, carry, and eat on the go. It’s hearty, nutritious, and full of flavour - everything you’d want in a satisfying meal. While it’s perfect for lunch, locals also enjoy it as a tea-time snack. Mas Roshi is a soft flatbread made from a mix of coconut and wheat flour, stuffed with a spiced tuna salad that hits all the right notes.
Boshi Mashuni - Banana Flower Salad
Banana flowers are widely eaten in Asian countries, usually made into curries or stir-fries. In the Maldives, Banana Flower is made into a super refreshing salad with shredded coconut. It's one of the healthiest food in the Maldives, and some even compare it to salsa.
Saago Bondibai - Sago Pudding
A famous dessert in the Maldives, Saago Bondibai (Sago pearl pudding), is a delicious sweet treat which is influenced by both South and Southeast Asian desserts. Saago Bondibai is made with sweetened condensed milk, pandan leaves, rose essence, cardamom and cinnamon spices. It would make a fine, simple and sophisticated pudding to serve guests at an event.
Kulhi Boakibaa - Fish Cake
Kulhi Boakibaa is a Maldivian fish cake made from smoked tuna, grated coconut, rice, and South Asian spices. It's baked until golden brown, and eaten during tea time or special occasions. Certain recipes call for a sweet version of Boakibaa as well.
Gulha - Fried Dumpling
By now, you'll be convinced that grated coconuts and tuna are almost staples in the Maldivian cuisine. Gulha is yet another dish to cement this fact. It's deep-fried dumpling balls with a crispy dough shell, often eaten during tea as a snack.
Bajiya - Samosa
The Maldivian version of Indian Samosa is Bajiya. It's a deep-fried triangular spring roll with a filling of - yes, you guessed - tuna and coconut! You'll find these in stores during tea time, and you must try them.
Mas Riha - Fish Curry
Mas Riha is the Maldivian version of Sri Lankan fish curry, which is made with fresh tuna chunks, thick coconut milk, curry leaves and spices. As it's a curry, it must be eaten with a side such as steamed rice or roshi flatbread.
Wrapping Up
If you're travelling to the Maldives this summer, make sure you step out of your resort and head to the local cities. There are a lot of flavours in the streets of Malé and stores in the lesser-known islands of the nation waiting to be explored.
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