Bis Keemiya

Name: Bis Keemiya
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Maldivian
Ingredients: For wrappers: 2 cups flour, pinch salt, water; 200g cabbage, finely shredded; 1 onion, finely diced; 150g canned tuna, drained; 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped; 1 green chili, minced; 6 curry leaves, chopped; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp cumin powder; Salt and pepper; Oil for deep frying

ބިސް ކީމިޔާ (bis kee-MEE-yah)

Maldivian Spring Rolls

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 293 kcal

Crispy deep-fried pastry rolls filled with spiced cabbage, onion, hard-boiled egg, and tuna, seasoned with curry leaves and chili.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 30.0g

Fat 13.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ egg ⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

deep fryer or heavy pot mixing bowl sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: serving plate

Garnishes: chili sauce, lime wedges

Accompaniments: sweet chili dipping sauce

Ingredients

For wrappers: 2 cups flour, pinch salt, water
200g cabbage, finely shredded
1 onion, finely diced
150g canned tuna, drained
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 green chili, minced
6 curry leaves, chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin powder
Salt and pepper
Oil for deep frying

Instructions

1
Make wrapper dough by mixing flour, salt, and water into a smooth batter. Spread thin on an oiled pan to make crepe-like sheets.
2
Saute onion until soft. Add shredded cabbage, curry leaves, chili, turmeric, and cumin. Cook until cabbage wilts completely.
3
Add flaked tuna and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the cabbage mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Cool the filling.
4
Cut crepe sheets into rectangles. Place a spoonful of filling at one end and roll tightly, folding in the sides like a spring roll.
5
Seal the edge with a flour-water paste. Ensure rolls are tightly sealed so they do not burst during frying.
6
Deep fry in hot oil at 170C until golden brown and crispy all over, about four minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

💡

Did You Know?

Bis Keemiya literally means "egg roll" in Dhivehi, and no Maldivian Ramadan iftar spread is complete without a towering plate of them.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

deep fryer or heavy pot
mixing bowl
sharp knife

Garnishing

chili sauce, lime wedges

Accompaniments

sweet chili dipping sauce

The Story Behind Bis Keemiya

Bis Keemiya is one of the most popular hedhikaa (short eats) in the Maldives, reflecting the Arab and South Asian trading influences on Maldivian cuisine. The dish became inseparable from Ramadan celebrations, where families prepare hundreds of these rolls to share with neighbors. The combination of cabbage, tuna, and egg in a crispy wrapper represents the resourceful Maldivian approach to creating satisfying snacks from simple, available ingredients.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed afternoon tea, ramadan iftar 📜 Origins: Arab-influenced Maldivian

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