Garudhiya (Maldivian Tuna Broth)
Local name: ގަރުދިޔަ
In short: Chunks of fresh tuna simmered in lightly salted water with curry leaves and chili, served with rice, lime and fresh onion. The Maldives' national dish. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Garudhiya is the simplest and most common dish in the Maldives, usually eaten for lunch with steamed rice. Fresh tuna is cut into chunks and simmered in salted water until firm, with a few curry leaves and chilies. The pale broth is sipped from the bowl or poured over rice, with lime, raw onion and chili on the side. Boiled down for hours, the same broth becomes rihaakuru, a dark, intense paste.
Instructions
- Rinse the tuna chunks well under cold water.
- Bring the water and salt to a boil in a wide pot. Add the tuna, curry leaves, green chilies and sliced onion.
- Skim off the foam that rises in the first few minutes, so the broth stays clear.
- Simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes until the tuna is opaque and firm throughout and reaches at least 63°C (145°F).
- Lift the chunks into bowls and ladle over the broth. Serve with steamed rice, lime wedges, red onion and chopped chili.
Tips
- Use very fresh fish and do not overcook it. The pieces should be firm but moist, and the broth clear and sweet.
- Bones and the head, if you have them, give the broth more body. Reduce leftover broth over low heat to a paste for a quick rihaakuru-style spread.
Questions and answers
Is garudhiya very spicy?
No. The broth is mild, and the heat comes from the chilies you add at the table.
Can I use another fish?
Yes. Wahoo, mahi-mahi or other firm fish also work, though tuna is traditional. Cook until firm.
What is rihaakuru?
A dark, thick paste made by boiling garudhiya for hours until it reduces. It is eaten in small amounts with rice and flatbread.
How long does it take to make Garudhiya (Maldivian Tuna Broth)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Garudhiya (Maldivian Tuna Broth)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
