Mas huni
In its own language: މަސްހުނި
Maldivian breakfast mix of tuna, coconut, onion, chili and lime
Mas huni is a breakfast dish from the Maldives, made by mixing finely chopped tuna, grated coconut, onion, chili, and lime juice. It is usually served with roshi, a local flatbread, and sweetened hot tea. The dish is a staple of Maldivian mornings and can be adapted with local greens or vegetables when fish is scarce.
- A classic Maldivian breakfast dish
- Made from tuna, coconut, onion, chili, and lime
- Traditionally served with roshi flatbread
- Can be made with greens or vegetables when fish is scarce
What is Mas huni?
Mas huni is a breakfast food from the Maldives, made by combining tuna, grated coconut, onion, chili, lime juice, and salt. The ingredients are finely chopped and mixed together, creating a moist, crumbly mixture. It is typically eaten with roshi, a soft flatbread, and accompanied by sweetened hot tea. The dish brings together the mild richness of coconut, the savory taste of tuna, and a fresh bite from onion and chili.
Where does Mas huni come from?
Mas huni is rooted in Maldivian food traditions, where tuna and coconut are central ingredients. Originally, the fish used was cured tuna called valhoamas, but canned tuna is now common. When fish was not available, Maldivians would substitute local green leaves or vegetables, showing the dish's adaptability. The use of easily available ingredients reflects the island environment and resourcefulness of the cuisine.
How is Mas huni made?
To prepare mas huni, tuna (either cured or canned) is finely chopped and mixed with grated coconut, onion, chili, and lime juice. Salt is added to taste. Sometimes, when fish is scarce, chopped green leaves or vegetables are used in place of or alongside the tuna. The mixture is served with freshly baked roshi, a type of flatbread.
How and when is Mas huni eaten?
Mas huni is eaten for breakfast in the Maldives. It is served with roshi, which is a local flatbread, and usually paired with sweetened hot tea. The dish is eaten by scooping the mixture with pieces of bread. It is a common part of everyday meals and is enjoyed in homes across the islands.
Kinds of Mas huni
There are several variations of mas huni. When fish is not available, local greens such as collard leaves or sweet potato leaves may be used. Another version uses boiled moringa pods, where the flesh and seeds are mixed with the other ingredients. Pumpkin or butternut squash can also be used to make a thicker version of the dish.
What Mas huni means
Mas huni is a staple of Maldivian breakfasts and reflects the island's reliance on tuna and coconut. Its adaptability to include local greens or vegetables highlights the resourcefulness of Maldivian cooking. The dish is a familiar part of daily life and is closely associated with the morning meal.
Questions people ask about Mas huni
What is mas huni made of?
Mas huni is made from tuna, grated coconut, onion, chili, lime juice, and salt, all finely chopped and mixed together.
Where does mas huni come from?
Mas huni comes from the Maldives, where it is a traditional breakfast food.
How is mas huni usually served?
Mas huni is typically served with roshi, a local flatbread, and sweetened hot tea for breakfast.
Are there vegetarian versions of mas huni?
When fish is scarce, local greens or vegetables like collard leaves or pumpkin are used instead of tuna.
What kind of tuna is used in mas huni?
Traditionally, cured tuna called valhoamas was used, but many people now use canned tuna.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mas huni", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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