Naan So Good I Wanted to Pack It, But Those Crispy Balls Left Us Speec
The day before heading to the resort island, I dragged my suitcase into Ocean Grand Hotel. The first thing I did after dropping my luggage was search "what to eat nearby"âturns out this area has more restaurants than I thought: Chinese food, Indian dishes, local snacks⌠In the end, I was drawn to the sign for "Tandoori Flames Hulemale": after all, in the Maldives, Pakistani naan is rarely a miss, right? đ´ đ˘ Letâs Gush About the Naan First: More "Spirited" Than KLâs Roti Canai Iâd barely sat down when the aroma of naan from the next table made my mouth water đ, so I quickly followed suit and ordered one. It arrived still steaming, its surface a sun-kissed gold with crispy, charred spots around the edges. Tearing it by hand sent crumbs fluttering, while the inside stayed soft and fluffy, carrying the smoky scent of charcoal grilling. The dipping sauces were a game-changerâtwo kinds: one orange-red, tangy-spicy with a hint of garlic; the other milky-white, a cool, refreshing yogurt sauce. Dipping the naan in them? My eyes lit up đ. Itâs "heartier" than the Indian roti canai I had during a layover in Kuala Lumpur âď¸âno fancy sweet seasonings, just pure wheat fragrance mixed with charcoal smoke, perfect with anything. The two of us wolfed down one piece each while chatting, and I almost ordered another before sanity kicked in (there were other dishes coming, after all). 𼢠Curiosity Killed the Cat: Those Crispy Balls? Proceed With Caution! Mid-meal, I spotted "crispy balls" at the next tableâround, golden orbs like mini fried yuanxiaoâand suddenly got curious đ¤. Pointing, I asked the waiter: "Whatâs that? Is it good?" The waiterâs eyes lit up: "Indian snack, very special!" Before I could say "Iâd like a taste," he was already calling to the kitchen: "Add one order of pani puri!" đâď¸ By the time I realized what was happening, a plate of crispy balls sat in front of me, with a small bowl of green liquid beside it. Following the (demonstration), I poked a hole in a ball, poured in some green liquid, and popped it in my mouthâumm⌠how to put this? The ball was crispy, but the green liquid hit with a nose-tingling sour-spice, plus an indescribable herbal note, like "being ambushed by mint and chili" all at once đśď¸. My taste buds short-circuited. It wasnât bad, just "totally outside my comfort zone." We stared at the half-eaten plate, then silently pushed it aside đ. đ¸ Pro Tip: Donât Casually "Ask Out of Curiosity"âService Charge Will Teach You a Lesson The bill revealed the "unexpected crispy balls" cost 4 USD, and with the restaurantâs 18% service charge (a bit more than the usual 16% elsewhere), the meal went from "affordable" to "a little pricey" in a flash â ď¸. The waiter even smiled: "Lots of people love this snack!" I just nodded awkwardly: Itâs⌠definitely "special." But beyond the crispy ball incident, this first meal was satisfying: the naan was amazing, the signature grilled chicken skewers were tender and juicy, and most importantlyâno upset stomach! đ For someone whoâd just landed, with a stomach still in "adjustment mode," thatâs the best blessing you could ask for. Walking back to the hotel, I clutched half a leftover naan (yes, I snuck a doggy bag) đď¸. The night breeze carried the salt of the sea đ, and it hit me: my Maldivian trip didnât really feel "real" until this "surprising, for better or worse" meal. Next time you visit, remember: stick to naan and grilled meats, and donât randomly ask about unfamiliar snacks! đ #MaleHotelsMaldives #HulhumaleFood #PakistaniCuisine #FirstMealMaldives #TravelMishapStories
