Other than visiting monumental sites and roaming through the cities and meeting people, the best way to explore a new place is through its food. If you’re in the Maldives for your vacation and you want to see what’s beyond the luxurious resorts, make sure you try these foods.

3G4A3982 Bis keemiya (samosa)
3G4A3982 Bis keemiya (samosa) | Image by Bochen Chen via flickr

Sago Pudding

Sagos, which resemble tapioca pearls, are tiny starchy spheres. They are derived from the spongy cores of tropical palm stems and are a significant part of the Maldivian diet. Dessert Saagu Bondibai is a sweet. Warm coconut milk, cardamom, rose, and creamy condensed milk is added to it. You can easily try this at any of the Maldives’ restaurants.

Garudhiya

A typical fish soup from the Maldives is called Garudhiya. Spices and citrus are sprinkled on top. Fresh Tuna is the dish’s main ingredient. It gives the soup all of the distinctive, crucial umami flavours. Fresh tuna is cut into cubes and cooked with onion, garlic, chilli, curry leaves, and water. Crunchy fried onions and a squeeze of lime are added for flavour.

Bis Keemiya

The Bis Keemiya is a hybrid of a puff, samosa, and spring roll. It is filled with shredded cabbage, which has been gently sautéed, hard-boiled eggs, and seasoned onions. This Maldivian nibble is deliciously crunchy and light and flaky. You may find this on the menu of luxury resorts here such as OBLU SELECT Sangeli Maldives or even at any small tea hut in Male.

Gulha

Small fried dumplings known as gulha are created from dough made from wheat or rice flour and filled with tuna fish, chopped onions, coconut, and chillies. Since they are fried, they are actually soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Turmeric, curry leaves, and lime juice are also occasionally added to the filling mixture by some Maldivian chefs.