Fihunu Mas

Name: Fihunu Mas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Maldives
Ingredients: 4 whole reef fish or mackerel, cleaned and scored; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 thumb ginger, grated; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 2 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Salt to taste

4 servings20 min prep15 min cookEasy Maldives

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Fihunu Mas

Story updated September 17, 2026

Fihunu mas, grilled spiced reef or tuna fish, reflects the Maldives' deep reliance on the surrounding Indian Ocean, where tuna fishing has sustained island communities for centuries. Its chile-and-lime marinade shows the archipelago's long trade links with South Asia along historic maritime routes.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

4 whole reef fish or mackerel, cleaned and scored
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb ginger, grated
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste

Instructions

1Combine garlic, ginger, chili powder, turmeric, lime juice, oil and salt into a thick marinade.
2Rub the marinade generously over and inside the scored fish.
3Let the fish marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4Preheat a charcoal grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
5Grill the fish for 6-8 minutes per side, basting occasionally, until charred outside and cooked through.
6Serve hot with steamed rice and a squeeze of extra lime.

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