Excerpts from : Hello Maldives 16th Edition Sept 2002
GOOD FOOD The capital Male' has a select number modest eateries . Local and South Asian food are on the main menu. Chinese and Continental fares are also available in some restaurants.
Teashops in Male' serve a variety of savouries and sweets. Savouries are mostly fish based. Some of the popular snacks include fihunu mas (fish based with chill paste and barbecued)-a real winner , several varieties of gulha (ball shaped snacks with smoked fish stuffing's) bajiya ( a pastry stuffed with fish , coconut and onions) Keemia (deep-fried fish rolls) Kulhi bookbaa ( mildly spiced fishcake) theluli Kavaabu chunks brushed with a chilli-garlic paste and fried ).And if you wish to end on a high, go for sweets such as bondi (white finger-long coconut sticks) or Zileybee (batter coils in syrup They are simply delicious.
A traditional island meal includes garudiya( a clear fish broth ) served with rice and piquant side-dishes made of lime , chilli, and small onions. Another popular dish is roshi (unleavened bread) which goes well with mas huni ( a mixture of smoked fish in shreds, grated coconuts and finely chopped onions served either as curry the bambukeylu hiti,or is fried . Similarly taro makes a good crispy snack when fried. Sweet dishes like custard accompanied by locally grown pomegranates, bananas, papaya, and mangoes, topped by a hot cup of sweet black tea lends a perfect finish to an authentic repast.
Most of the resort islands have more than one restaurant where you can enjoy a wide range of cuisines catering to the different tastes of a larger international clientele. Continental, Middle Eastern, Indian and Oriental buffets are widely available.
Though Maldivian do not consume alcoholic beverages, drinks are available in bars confined to the island resorts. The Maldivian toddy raa is sweet and delicious despite its pungent odour. Ice creams, sundaes, fresh fruit juices, and the local suji ( a sweet drink made with semoina, coconut milk, nuts Sultanas, and a dash of spices ) also add to the refreshing list.
