Ferments & funk · Dried

Maldive fish

Also called umbalakada, Maldives fish, dried tuna, smoked dried tuna

Rock-hard chunks of smoke-dried tuna from the Maldives, sold in Sri Lankan and South Indian grocers; crushed or pounded, it gives pol sambol its deep savoury, fermented marine funk.

Gluten-freeDairy-freeContains: fish

What can replace it

  • T2 · GoodAnchovy fillets

    Anchovy fillets bring salt and fishiness but lose the smoked, dry-roasted tuna depth; rinse and chop them rather than pounding, or the sambol turns muddy. (use 2× the amount)

  • T3 · In a pinchShrimp paste

    Shrimp paste gives fermented marine funk but tastes of shrimp, not dried tuna, and is far saltier, so cut the salt. (use 0.5× the amount)

Cook with Maldive fish