Renowned food vlogger Mark Wiens dives deep into Maldives’ ‘Tuna Paradise’

For many, the allure of the Maldives lies in its serene seas and inviting beaches. Yet, for Mark Wiens, a prominent YouTube content creator, the archipelago presented itself as a “tuna paradise.” Wiens, who boasts over 11 million subscribers, openly approved of Maldivian cuisine, declaring the nation a must-visit destination for its food alone.

Wiens’s approach involves travelling to various countries, experiencing their food, and sharing these culinary journeys with his vast audience. The significant role seafood plays in the Maldivian diet particularly drew his interest.

His recent Maldivian adventure was filmed in Hithadhoo, Addu. His videos, posted on YouTube, offer a detailed look at a typical day of eating. Wiens chronicled every meal he consumed over a 24-hour period.

During his stay, he prepared and tasted a variety of local fare. He also emphasised to his followers that the Maldives is a prime location to sample dishes crafted with diverse types of fish.

The video also captures a segment where Wiens enjoyed morning tea at an Addu residence. Here, he sampled a range of items such as Mashuni, Kulhimas and Rihaakuru. He even took the opportunity to prepare and taste Mashuni when prompted.

His exploration extended to an Addu field, where he consumed coconut and other locally grown items. Holding a cup containing spicy paste, commonly used in local preparations, he observed the unique flavours they imparted. His field meal also included coconuts and Rihaakuru.

Wiens further indulged in Bondibaiy and other sweet treats accompanied by fish.

A visit to an Addu home allowed him to witness the traditional making of the famous Addu Bondi. His video meticulously shows the stages of Bondi production, and he departed the house after tasting the freshly made sweets.

Later, Wiens was seen at an Addu cafe, surrounded by a spread of Maldivian dishes. This array included fried fish, boiled fish, cassava, and bananas, all of which he thoroughly tasted.

After lunch, his culinary tour continued to a snack shop, where he documented the creation of various local snacks.

The video also features Wiens visiting an Addu curry paste factory and cooking various spices for dinner, highlighting the island’s natural bounty.

Operating under the moniker “migrationology,” Mark Wiens has amassed 11.2 million subscribers on YouTube and 7.1 million on Facebook by documenting his global food explorations.

He believes that food serves as a fundamental connection between people.

In his own words, Wiens is a “full-time eater.” His extensive culinary travels have led him to taste and create videos about food from an impressive list of countries, including Syria, Palestine, Qatar, Dubai, Jordan, various African nations, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Peru, Korea, and Madagascar, among many others.