A tropical island-inspired rice dish featuring tender tuna, creamy coconut milk, and fragrant curry leaves.
Maldivian Coconut Tuna Rice is a comforting one-pot dish that combines basmati rice with fresh tuna, coconut milk, fish stock, and aromatic ingredients. Coconut oil, garlic, ginger, and green chillies create a fragrant base, while turmeric adds a warm golden colour and pepper brings gentle heat.
As the rice cooks, it absorbs the savoury fish stock and creamy coconut milk, allowing the flavours to blend beautifully. Finished with fresh coriander and lime, this dish offers a balanced combination of rich coconut flavour, delicate seafood, and refreshing citrus.
Ingredients
750 g basmati rice (4 cups), soaked for 20 minutes
500 g fresh tuna
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp ginger, minced
2 green chillies, chopped
Curry leaves
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp pepper
Salt, to taste
1½ cups coconut milk
4 cups fish stock
Fresh coriander, for garnish
Lime, for garnish
Method
Wash and Soak the Rice
Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly and soak it for 20 minutes. Drain well and set aside.Prepare the Aromatic Base
Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the sliced onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, and green chillies. Sauté until the onion softens and the ingredients release their fragrance.Cook the Tuna
Add the fresh tuna and cook for approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the turmeric, pepper, and salt, ensuring the tuna is coated evenly with the seasonings.Add Rice, Coconut Milk, and Stock
Add the drained rice and gently stir to combine it with the tuna mixture. Pour in the coconut milk and fish stock, then bring the liquid to a gentle boil.Cook Until Tender
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18–20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.Rest and Garnish
Turn off the heat and leave the rice covered for 10 minutes. Gently fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh coriander and lime before serving.
Serve
Serve hot with coconut sambol, cucumber salad, grilled fish, and fresh lime wedges. The crisp salad and citrus brighten the creamy coconut rice, while the additional seafood complements the tuna.