Gulha

Gulha or gulhaa is a traditional and popular Maldivian snack. Gulha are little ball-shaped dumplings filled with tuna, finely chopped onion, shredded coconut, and chili. Turmeric, lime juice, and chopped curry leaves are added to the stew depending on the chef. The gulha are deep-fried after they are ready.

Gulha dough can be prepared with wheat flour or rice flour. Rice-flour gulhas are often smaller, firmer, and crunchier. The size of gulha can range from huge to little, with the largest being somewhat larger than the size of a ping-pong ball and the smallest being approximately the size of marbles. This snack was typically served with sweetened hot tea and, on occasion, with other little bites.

Traditional Maldivian fish was used for filling gulha, but many Maldivians now use canned tuna. Instead of deep-frying, gulha can be cooked in the oven.