Travelling to a new place opens the doors for a unique culinary experience. Bhutan is not only a Buddhist Kingdom with strongholds over rich traditions, culture, and heritage but it can also fulfil your taste buds with its simple yet mouth-watering food items. You can book one of the Bhutan travel packages with AV Holiday World to try the wide selection of dishes with a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and love of the local people.
You must know that Bhutanese cuisine has a great influence on the food items of its neighbouring countries such as India, China, Tibet, and Nepal. This is why you can also see various restaurants and hotels here selling delicious India, Nepalese, Chinese, and Tibetan cuisines. Needless to say, Bhutanese foods have gained popularity throughout the world due to their emphasis on distinct flavours, simplicity, and wholesome ingredients while not compromising their health benefits.
Explore The Appetizing Food Dishes You Must Try In Bhutan
1. Phaksha Paa
One of the most traditional dishes in Bhutan is Phaksha Paa which is basically stir-fried pork. This dish is made by marinating pieces of pork with various flavorful spices such as red pepper, ginger, chillies, and garlic and then it is stir-fried with green chillies, onions, and seasonal vegetables.
All the veggies and spices create a flavorful crunch and taste to this dish. This spicy non-veg dish is usually served as a side dish with other Bhutanese dishes such as red rice. You can visit a local restaurant in Bhutan to try this dish for 500 BTN.
2. Ema Datshi
Ema Datshi is considered the national dish of Bhutan due to its increased popularity among tourists and local people for ages. This flavorful dish is made only with two ingredients such as chilli (ema) and cheese (datshi). Both of these ingredients are locally produced in Bhutan which creates a perfect blend of creaminess and spiciness.
If you’re thinking this is the spiciest dish then you must know that the creamy cheese often balances the extreme spiciness. This makes Ema Datshi a perfect accompaniment with rice or red rice, which also reflects the cultural tradition of the country.
3. Kewa Datshi
If you have booked the best Bhutan tour package and travelling to the Buddhist kingdom soon then you must add tasting Kewa Datshi to your bucket list. This is a similar dish to Ema Datshi but the only difference is that potatoes are used in Kewa Datshi in place of chillies.
This dish is made by mixing boiled potatoes with a creamy sauce made with locally produced cheese. Local people often include garlic, spices, and onion in this hearty dish to enhance its taste. This affordable and comforting item can be easily bought from a local food outlet.
4. Hoentoe
Hoentoe is another traditional dish of Bhutan which is a type of dumpling made with cheese, turnip greens, spinach, and other flavorful spices. After filling the vegetables in the dumpling it is given a half crescent moon shape and then it is boiled or steamed in hot water until it is properly cooked.
A spicy dip made with chillies or tomatoes is also made to accompany these hot steamed dumplings to create a balanced taste. This local food is the perfect reflection of the flavours and creativity of Bhutanese cuisine.
5. Jasha Maroo
If you are a chicken lover then you must try Jasha Maroo, which is another popular local dish of Bhutan. In the Bhutanese language, Jasha means chicken and maroo means chilli so it is basically a spicy stew made with shredded chicken.
The taste of this food is often enhanced by including aromatic spices, tomatoes, garlic, and onion in it. If you’re trying red rice in Bhutan then Jasha Maroo can be the best gravy to taste with it. The spice profile and bold flavours of this dish will surely take you to a lip-smacking culinary experience.
6. Shakam Paa
Bhutan is often considered a paradise for meat lovers and one of the best dishes that one can try here is Shakam Paa. This is a tasty item made with vegetables, chilli peppers, and dried beef strips.
The beef used in this dish is first marinated and sun-dried which creates a perfect smoky and chewy texture that adds a different flavor to the cuisine. When this dried beef is mixed with vegetables and spices, it becomes tender and juicy which adds a unique nutty taste. You can cherish the culinary delight of Bhutan by trying this beef dish with rice.
7. Khur-Le
If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy breakfast menu during your Bhutan trip then without any second thought you can try Khur-Le. This is the traditional breakfast menu of Bhutan made with buckwheat flour.
Local people often made this snacking item sweet or savoury by adding sugar or other ingredients to it. If this side dish is served in the breakfast then it is accompanied with egg. Tourists who are gluten-free or don’t like eating too much rice can munch on these healthy pancakes with any type of spicy side dishes or gravies.
8. Goep
Another popular meat dish of Bhutan is Goep which is made with properly cleaned stomach lining of animals. This tender dish is prepared by cooking the tripe or stomach lining with local herbs and aromatic spices until soft.
The complex and rich flavours of this dish are often accompanied by the local people with traditional bread or rice. You get to try this dish while exploring the local events and festivals in Bhutan. Embark on an adventurous culinary journey with this amazing cuisine.
9. Puta
Puta is a traditional Bhutanese delight that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a snack. To make this, Bhutanese mix water in buckwheat flour to knead a solid dough. This dough is then rolled and cut into small pieces to make boiled or steamed noodles.
These tasty noodles can be enjoyed alone or can be eaten with other accompanying items such as meat stews or curries. The nutty and steamy flavour of this dish showcases the simplicity and flavorful taste of Bhutanese cuisine. If Puta is eaten with other gravies then it can also become a wholesome food for you.
10. Red Rice
Travelling to the Land of Thunder Dragons from India with one of the best Bhutan travel packages can be a convenient and hassle-free experience. However, if you want to enjoy comfort food to enhance your vacation experience in Bhutan then you must taste red rice here.
Boiled red rice can easily be eaten as a lunch or dinner and is often accompanied by some vegetable or meat curries to add flavour. This staple food of Bhutan holds diverse cultural significance which is also rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants.
11. Kharang
A sweet dish of Bhutan that is enjoyed by the local people in most of the local celebrations and festivals is Kharang. This sweet cuisine is a flavorful combination of butter, crispy fried rice, and sugar. To make this dish, the rice is first soaked and fried until golden brown and then it is mixed with sugar and butter until all the dishes are caramelized.
The sweet notes and crunchy texture of this dish are perfect for tourists who have a sweet tooth. After having a wholesome lunch or dinner, you can order Kharang as a scrumptious dessert.
12. Suja
If you’re looking for a satisfying hot beverage in Bhutan to beat the cold then you must taste Suja. This beverage is made by combining tea leaves, water, and salted yak cheese together. Local households often make this tea to welcome the guests.
You get to taste this amazing beverage of Bhutan while exploring the local markets or traditional festivals. The savoury and rich flavour of Suja with a kick of salt can surely provide you with the required comfort and warmth while you’re exploring the mountainous regions of the country.
13. Sikam Paa
Another mouthwatering Bhutanese dish is Sikam Paa which features dried pork belly, vegetables, and aromatic spices. To make this popular dish, the sun-dried pork is first marinated with spices and then fried with vegetables until tender. As a result, it will create a perfect blend of juiciness, savoury, tanginess, and spicy.
You can order Bhutanese flat or rice to enjoy this tantalizing dish with amazing taste and texture. This is also an affordable dish made with meat that you can get in local restaurants, resorts, or traditional events. You will get to know the authentic cuisine of Bhutan with this dish.
14. Momos
One of the most beloved dishes of Bhutan with a Tibetan influence is momos. These dumplings are loved by tourists as well as the local people and have a unique appearance and juicy taste. Momos are made by rolling a thin sheet of wheat dough and then filling it with a mixture of minced vegetables or chicken. After filling, the dumplings are given round shapes and then they are steamed in water.
To enhance its taste, it is often served with a hot chutney made with chillies and tomatoes. In Bhutan, most of the roadside stalls, local markets, and restaurants sell momos.
15. Jaju
Another tasty food item that you should taste during your Bhutan vacation is Jaju. This is a special dish that holds immense significance in the culture of Bhutan. To make this wonderful soup, turnip leaves are dried in the autumn sun and then it is stored until winter.
If you’re visiting Bhutan during winter then you can see local shops selling Jaju made with dried turnip leaves. This soup with less amount of water can be perfectly enjoyed with other curries and rice for a healthful lunch. To enhance the taste and creaminess of this soup, local people also add milk, garlic, onion, and milk to it.
16. Ara
In terms of drinks, Ara is considered the national drink of Bhutan. This alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting barley, wheat, buckwheat, rice, or millet. One of the key ingredients in the process of art making is yeast which affects the overall quality and quantity of the drink.
While visiting the bars and restaurants in Bhutan, you can taste a glass of ara which is a combination of savoury, sweet, salty, and bitter. This is also a compulsory drink in most of the family get-togethers, local festivals, and religious events.
17. Gondo Datshi
If you’re a veg then also you can have various food options in Bhutan and one such food is gondo datshi. This traditional item is made of mushroom and cheese which has a unique texture and taste.
Locally produced fresh mushrooms are used in this dish which is then fried with garlic, spices, and onion while adding cubes of cheese for extra creaminess. You can order Bhutanese bread to try this creamy and saucy dish that is also seasoned with chilli flakes or powder.
Different ingredients, unique flavours, and spicy dishes are the key features of Bhutanese cuisine. Book the best and most affordable Bhutan travel packages now to embark on gastronomy tourism in the Himalayan kingdom while indulging in thrilling adventure activities and sightseeing tours.
FAQs:
1. What is the popular sweet dish of Bhutan?
Khabzey is one of the most popular sweet dishes that you must try in Bhutan. This is a fried biscuit made by the local people during special celebrations such as Bhutanese New Year and local festivals. The colourful and beautiful shapes of this biscuit such as kulkuls, plaits, and flowers will surely attract you.
2. What is the most famous cuisine of Bhutan?
Ema Datshi is the most famous and traditional Bhutanese cuisine that you will get in every part of the country. This is usually a spicy and creamy dish made with a lot of chillies and cheese. It is truly a perfect item for all the spiceophile tourists.
3. Which famous street food you must try in Bhutan?
Momos are the famous stress foods that must be tried during your Bhutan trip. This mouth-watering dumpling filled with shredded chicken or vegetables is often dipped with a spicy chutney that creates a perfect symphony of aromatic spices and a unique flavour.
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