Mind-blowing! Had the best Tom Yum Goong of my life in Maafushi 🍜

Who said there’s no good food in the Maldives? Hiyala in Maafushi serves Tom Yum Goong that’s simply incredible—sour, spicy, with a hint of sweetness. Never had such a rich version back home! 🌶️ Tom Yum Goong: The star of the show, rich beyond belief It arrived in a heaping bowl, the broth thick like it had simmered all night. The aroma—sour, spicy, coconutty, with a seafood freshness—had us salivating before the first sip. First taste? Stunning. The sourness is bright from lime, the spiciness warm with a sweet finish, and a subtle coconut creaminess lingers. It’s packed with ingredients: plump shrimp (so bouncy they could jump), thick mushrooms (soaked in broth), and chunks of tender meat (probably chicken). Every spoonful has something to chew—we even wanted to soak rice in the leftover broth, and licked the bowl clean. 🍚 Beef fried rice: A savior for Chinese palates, fragrant till the last grain If Tom Yum is the "surprise," the beef fried rice is "comfort." Rice grains are separated, with a toasty wok char. Beef cubes, marinated tender and flavorful, mix with egg, carrot, and scallions. The seasoning? A perfect "salty-savory" homey taste—nothing like the bland Western-style fried rice. We polished the plate in minutes. Even my picky friend raved: "This is better than my mom’s fried rice." Finding such "effortlessly delicious" food on an island? Almost tearfully happy. 🍕 Margherita pizza: The only "so-so" one, but still edible Compared to the other two, the pizza falls a bit flat. The crust is decent (crispy at the edges), but there’s too little cheese—no stretchy pull. The tomato sauce is tangy, making it just average. Order it if you’re full, but prioritize the Tom Yum and fried rice—you won’t regret it. 💰 Prices & portions: Great value, enough to stuff two people Beef fried rice: $6 Tom Yum Goong: $7 Pizza: $8 (≈56 RMB) Two people ate till we were stuffed—portions are way more than enough. Just go for it! 📍 Location: A little hidden, but worth the hunt Turn left at the ARENA water sports center intersection, then right at the second junction (see photo). It’s tucked in a residential alley, not flashy, but look for the small tables outside—trust me, the extra steps are worth it. This meal in Maafushi totally changed my view on "Maldivian food." You don’t need fancy resorts—hidden in local alleys, there’s food that gets exactly what your taste buds crave. Next time, I’m having three bowls of Tom Yum before leaving! #Maafushi #MaafushiLocalIsland #MaafushiFood