Amaa’s Kitchen: A traditional Maldivian dining experience like no other

Even for a person who is not a Maldivian, the name ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ clearly indicates a connection to food. Located at the five-star resort, LUX* South Ari Atoll, ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ takes tourists back in time to provide the ultimate traditional Maldivian dining experience – offering not only the chance to indulge in local delicacies, but to also immerse themselves in a piece of Maldivian history.

The experience starts with the aesthetics of ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ which is carefully curated to resemble an old-fashioned Maldivian thatched hut made from palm leaves. The kitchen swaps modern kitchen equipment to traditional equipment which includes wooden stoves and ‘Huni Gondi’ (long low seat with a metal scraper at the one end used to scrape coconut). The cook, is a mother, referred to locally as ‘Amaa’, henceforth the name, ‘Amaa’, alongside her kitchen aides referred to as ‘Kamana’ (woman) and ‘Katheeb’ (island chief) prepare Maldivian delicacies for the tourists while donning traditional Maldivian attire; another small detail which ups the game. 

How did the idea come about?

Each year, LUX* South Ari Atoll hosts a pitching competition among staff aimed at improving the resort’s services. ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ was born from an idea pitched during this competition last year.

“This resort has previously offered something called ‘MasterChef’. The idea was pitched by F&B staff after reflecting on ways to integrate the Maldivian scene into this program,” LUX* Resort & Hotel’s Regional Director Hussain Afeef detailed.

The purpose of ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ is to provide tourists with an opportunity to experience the “island life” during ancient times at a five-star resort. ‘Amaa’, a Maldivian woman from a neighboring local island arrives at the resort every Friday, where she and her kitchen aides prepare Maldivian delicacies to tourists while bringing them along every step of the way.

“’Amaa’ will explain to the tourists how the dishes are made. For example, how dishes are made starting from the ingredients such as coconut,” Afeef noted.

What dishes are prepared in the kitchen?

The kitchen does not lack in the food department even a bit with dishes such as ‘Roshi’ (flatbread), ‘Garudhiya’ (fish soup), Maldivian chicken curry, ‘Kandu Kukulhu’ (Tuna Curry) and ‘Handulu Bondibaiy’ (Rice Pudding).

As per Afeef, the most popular dishes among are ‘Garudhiya’ and rice or taro.

“Dishes normally prepared at households are prepared at the kitchen,” he said while stressing no foreign products are used in the kitchen.

How well-received is the experience among tourists?

While ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ opens every Friday, the love among tourists for such an authentic experience is indicated by the overflowing list of tourists who sign up for it.

The tourists who have experienced ‘Amaa’s Kitchen’ share their stories on Trip Advisor, with some describing it as the best part of their stay in the resort. Their feedback is a statement to the fact that this carefully curated experience taking tourists back in time to another era has left a mark in their hearts.

Speaking further, Afeef affirmed LUX* South Ari Atoll’s commitment to provide various opportunities for tourists that allow them to explore the Maldivian culture.

“In reality, Maldives has a very rich culture. But no one really does that much to keep the culture alive. So, this time we thought of a different way to showcase culture while up to par with a world-class service,” he added.