Bhutan Cuisine and Bhutan Food
Bhutanese cuisines are very different unlike the cuisines of other countries. The Bhutanese love chillies; thus there are dishes where mainly chillies (green or red) are used as the main ingredient and these mouth-scorching meals may well be infused with chillies. Unofficially the national dish for Bhutan is Ema-datse (chilli mixed with cheese sauce) which most Bhutanese love to have almost every day. Need not have to worry, for travelers and visitors in all hotels and restaurants they serve continental, Indian and Chinese dishes.
The other Bhutanese dishes are Phak sha laphu (stewed pork with radish), no sha huentseu (stewed beef with spinach), phak sha phin tshoem (pork with rice noodles), bja sha maroo (chicken in garlic and butter sauce) and Kewa datse (potatoes with cheese sauce), More seasonal are the delicious asparagus, mushroom and unusual nakey (fern fronds), the smothered in the ever present dates.
In other parts of Bhutan like in central part they have different cuisines like Khule (buckwheat pancakes), puta (buckwheat noodles) and eastern part Kharang corn (ground maize) which is used as a staple.
Just like the many different landscapes, Bhutanese cuisine is just as varied and every region knows its own speciality. The Bhutanese diet is mainly meat, dairy products, rice (red or white) and vegetables. Emadatse (chilli and cheese stew) is the national dish with many variations throughout the country.
If there’s one thing typical for Bhutanese cuisine, it is that the Bhutanese love it spicy! Chillies are not considered to be a seasoning, but a true and valuable vegetable. Therefore traditional Bhutanese food is lavishly spiced with dried or fresh red and green chillies.
Traditional Bhutanese food always features chillies! Meat dishes, mainly pork, beef and yak are lavishly dosed with red peppers, which are a commonly drying on rooftops. Social occasions mean serving suja (salted butter tea). Doma (betel nut) is offered as a customary gesture of greeting. The Bhutanese enjoy Chang, a local beer, and arra, country liquor, distilled from maize, rice, wheat or barley.
Your meals will generally be in the form of a small buffet with a variety of dishes to choose from and simple picnics are often carried for long journeys. Bottled water is widely available.
So, here is the list which will give you an enchanting memory while you are in thundering Bhutan:
Ema Datshi
This is the National Dish of Bhutan. A spicy mix of chillis and the delicious local cheese known as Datshi. This dish is a staple of nearly every meal and can be found throughout the country. Variations on Ema Datshi include adding green beans, ferns, potatoes, mushrooms or swapping the regular cheese for yak cheese.
Momos
These Tibetan-style dumplings are stuffed with pork, beef or cabbages and cheese. Traditionally eaten during special occasions, these tasty treats are a Bhutanese favourite.
Jasha Maru
Spicy minced chicken, tomatoes and other ingredients that is usually served with rice.
Red Rice
This rice is similar to brown rice and is extremely nutritious and filling. When cooked it is pale pink, soft and slightly sticky.
Goep (Tripe)
Though the popularity of tripe has diminished in many countries it is still enjoyed in Bhutan. Like most other meat dishes, it is cooked with plenty of spicy chillis and chilli powder.
Things to try in Bhutan
Red Rice
The people of Bhutan eat loads of rice and one thing you’ll notice here is that the rice is of a reddish colour. Grown in the fertile Paro Valley soil, this quick cooking rice has a nutty flavour and is typically paired with mushrooms and chilli.
Chilli Cheese
spicy, cheesy and delicious
Momo
Although a Tibetan dish, momo is also very popular and widely available in Bhutan. Essentially a dumpling, fillings usually range from cheese to pork or other meats and are served in batches as a savoury snack.
Red Panda Bear
This locally brewed beer is made using a natural fermentation process and often bottled in recycled (pre-loved) beer bottles. Often touted as one of Asia’s best beers, Red Panda is a pleasant surprise, try it for yourself.