Rinse and soak 1 cup of channa dhal or masoor dhal in cold water for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Chop onions, finely chop the curry leaves and green chillies.
If using the optional garlic and ginger, make a small paste of them in a mortar or pestle or mince finely or use a microplane grater.
Set aside 1/4 cup of soaked channa dhal. Puree the rest in a food processor (or blender or grinder) with a 1/4 cup of water until mostly pureed.
Stir in the reserved 3/4 cup of channa dhal (this adds a little texture). Stir in the onions, curry leaves, green chillies. Add the optional maldive fish, garlic and ginger.
Heat griddle to medium. Spread a tablespoon of coconut oil. Drop the wade mixture a tablespoon at a time and spread into small round disks.
Cook 3-4 minutes, flip and cook on the other side using a spatula.
Add another tablespoon of coconut oil after flipping so each side gets a nice coconut-oil taste.
Cook a single wade first, check if there's enough salt and add a little more if desired to the mixture before making the rest.
Serve warm with chutney or ketchup or plain. Makes about 18 small-ish wade.