One gloriously sunny afternoon in the Maldives, Dave—a wide-eyed tourist with a love for local cuisine and zero fear—found himself wandering the colorful market of Dhangethi Island.

That’s when he spotted it.

A jar. Dark. Glossy. Mysterious.

"Chocolate sauce!" he declared triumphantly, as if he’d just discovered buried treasure.

The vendor raised an eyebrow, already sensing impending doom. "Ah... no, that’s rihaakuru—"

Too late.

Dave had already scooped up a generous spoonful and popped it into his mouth like a kid in a candy store.

Cue the silence.

Then came the face contortion. A twist. A twitch. Pure panic.

His taste buds screamed in betrayal as the pungent, salty, fermented fish flavor hit him like a tidal wave. Eyes watering, he staggered back, desperately scanning for anything drinkable.

Without missing a beat, the vendor handed him a coconut, trying to hold back laughter. "It’s rihaakuru. Fish paste. Very... traditional."

Still recovering, Dave croaked, "I thought Maldivian chocolate just had... character."

From that moment on, he made it a rule to always ask twice—and taste once.

And the people of Dhangethi? They still talk about the day the chocolate-loving tourist met Maldivian fish paste.

Moral of the story: If it’s brown and mysterious in the Maldives… maybe sniff it first. 😅🐟