Bhutanese Cuisine: 20 Must-Try Dishes in Bhutan

Food is the single great unifier that connects us across cultures and religions. A trip to Bhutan will be incomplete without trying out some of its popular dishes. While Bhutanese food is heavily influenced by Chinese, Tibetan and Indian cuisines, it still maintains distinct local flavors. Just like its interesting languages, yyou will also find Bhutanese food habits and dishes interesting.

What type of food do Bhutanese eat? Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian, Bhutan offers you a variety of foods to satisfy your hunger. Let's discover some of the must-try dishes and the surprising facts about Bhutan cuisine.

1. Red Rice

At every dining table in Bhutan, you will find a mountain of red rice – which makes Bhutanese food healthy. The red rice produced in Bhutan is of the highest quality. Bhutanese have been growing and eating red rice as their staple for centuries.

Red rice is gluten free, and full of nutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, protein, and potassium. It is also known to contain more zinc and iron than white, black, or brown rice.

2. Ema Datshi

Ask any traveler who has been to Bhutan what's their favorite Bhutanese dish, and you're bound to get ‘ema datshi' as an answer! Although this chili cheese stew seems like a simple meal, it's very delicious and highly recommended. Here is a one-minute video on how to cook the popular and well-loved ema datshi.

3. Jasha Maroo Or Maru

Another traditional food that you must taste is the Jasha Maroo – a hot and spicy chicken stew. A perfect dish to keep you warm, especially during the winter season.

Garlic, onion, chicken, chilies, ginger, and diced chicken are the main ingredients of this dish. This simple delicious dish combined with red rice is sure to satisfy your cravings.

4. Phaksha Paa

Another favorite Bhutanese dish that you must try is their phaksha paa which is made of stir-fried sliced pork with a variety of red hot chillies. This dish is usually served with hoentay (buckwheat dumplings). Phaksha paa can be added with ginger, spinach, or other vegetables.

5. Momos

Momos are dumplings filled with either pork, yak, chicken, or vegetables. These dumplings are popular throughout the Himalayan region including in Tibet and Nepal. Well, don't be surprised to find chilies added to the Bhutanese dumplings. Momos can be found everywhere in Bhutan. It's easily available in most restaurants and eateries.

6. Shakam Datshi

Shakam Datshi is a hearty dish made with dried beef, cheese, and chilies. The dried beef is rehydrated and cooked with flavorful ingredients, resulting in a rich and spicy stew. This dish is often enjoyed with red rice and is a staple in Bhutanese households.

7. Kewa Datshi

Kewa Datshi features potatoes cooked in a creamy cheese sauce, combined with green chilies for a spicy kick. This comforting dish is a favorite among locals and is typically served alongside rice. The combination of potatoes and cheese makes it a satisfying vegetarian option.

8. Shamu Datshi

Shamu Datshi is a delightful stew made with mushrooms and cheese, showcasing the earthy flavors of the mushrooms complemented by the richness of the cheese. This dish is often spiced with chilies, making it a flavorful vegetarian choice. It highlights Bhutan's love for cheese and its diverse mushroom varieties.

9. Sikam Paa

Sikam Paa consists of dried pork belly that is fried until crispy and served with chilies. This dish is often compared to bacon due to its rich and savory flavor. It's a popular choice for meat lovers looking for something indulgent.

10. Jaju

Jaju is a comforting milk and vegetable soup, typically made with local greens like spinach or turnip leaves. The soup is rich and creamy, often enhanced with butter and cheese, making it a warming dish perfect for cold days. It's commonly served as a side dish during meals.

11. Hoentay

Originating from the Haa Valley, Hoentay is a type of dumpling filled with a mix of turnip leaves, cheese, and spices. These dumplings are steamed and served with a spicy dipping sauce. They are a delightful representation of Bhutan's dumpling culture, similar to momos.

12. Khatem

Khatem is a unique dish made from bitter gourd, which is sliced and deep-fried in butter. The bitterness of the gourd is balanced by the richness of the butter, creating a distinctive flavor. This dish is not for everyone but offers a unique taste experience for those adventurous enough to try it.

13. Zow Shungo

Zow Shungo is a creative dish made from leftover vegetables mixed with rice, making it a nutritious and hearty option. This dish reflects Bhutan's culture of minimizing food waste by repurposing leftovers. It's often seasoned with spices and served as a filling meal.

14. Goep

Goep is a stir-fried tripe dish, typically made with cow stomach lining, cooked with vegetables and spices. This dish is known for its chewy texture and is popular among non-vegetarians. It's a traditional dish that showcases Bhutan's resourcefulness in using all parts of the animal.

15. Juma

Juma is a flavorful sausage made from minced meat, seasoned with spices and wrapped in intestines, then deep-fried. This dish has a chewy texture and is often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. It offers a unique taste that is distinctively Bhutanese.

16. Lom

Lom consists of dried and preserved turnip leaves, which are often sautéed or used in various dishes. This ingredient is a staple during winter months when fresh vegetables are scarce. Lom can be enjoyed on its own or as a flavorful addition to other meals.

17. Goen Hogay

Goen Hogay is a refreshing cucumber salad made with sliced cucumbers, chili flakes, onions, and cheese. This light dish is perfect for balancing out richer meals and is often enjoyed during hot weather. The addition of Sichuan pepper gives it a unique flavor profile.

18. Kewa

Kewa is a simple yet delicious dish of boiled potatoes, often served as a side. The potatoes are typically seasoned with spices and served with chili sauce, making it a comforting accompaniment to any meal. This dish highlights the importance of potatoes in Bhutanese cuisine.

19. Chilli Cheese Toast

Chilli Cheese Toast is a popular snack made with bread topped with a mixture of cheese and green chilies. It is baked until golden and gooey, making it a delicious treat. This dish showcases Bhutan's love for cheese and spice in a simple yet satisfying form.

20. Doma

Doma refers to betel leaves filled with areca nut, lime, and other spices, commonly chewed as a digestive aid or social custom. This traditional practice is prevalent in Bhutan and is often offered to guests as a sign of hospitality. Doma is an integral part of Bhutanese culture, often associated with social gatherings.

Find out more about other popular Bhutanese dishes.

Interesting Facts About Bhutan Food

1. Chilies Are Treated As Vegetables

What is Bhutanese food without chilies? While not every single dish in Bhutan contains chilies, they are a staple ingredient in most traditional Bhutanese food. So, if you love spicy dishes, you will surely like Bhutanese food.

At every vegetable stall, every vendor sells chilies, and almost every cuisine has chilies as its ingredients. Unlike its tourism seasons with peak and off-peak periods, chilies are not limited to a particular season. It's an all-year-round dish.

One secret Bhutanese chili sauce called, Ezay is a fiery chili condiment that accompanies almost every meal in Bhutan. It is served with almost every meal in Bhutan and heightens the flavors of the cuisine despite its spiciness.

In fact, chilies are more than a seasoning. Bhutanese treat chilies as ‘vegetables.' In fact, one of the most heavily consumed vegetables within the kingdom. The Bhutanese simply love spicy food. When you're in Bhutan, you can see chilies hanging on roofs to be dried.

2. Bhutanese Love Cheese

Combine the chilies with cheese, popularly known as ‘datshi' in Bhutan, and you'll get the country's favorite dish. Ema datshi, ‘chili cheese sauce,' is deemed the national dish of Bhutan. Loved by many tourists and locals alike.

Just like the chilies, cheese is also a staple in Bhutanese cuisine. There are many variations of popular Bhutanese dishes with cheese such as shamu datshi ‘mushroom cheese' and kewa datshi ‘potato cheese'.

So, if you are a lover of chili and cheese - you've got to visit Bhutan! Even if you are not a fan of chilies, don't worry, as you can easily let your guide know that you can't tolerate spice. They will be able to reduce the spiciness level for tourists.

3. Not All Bhutanese Are Vegetarians

Contrary to popular belief, even though Bhutan is a predominantly Buddhist kingdom, not all Bhutanese are vegetarians. While there is a huge pool of vegetarians within the country, there are many Bhutanese who consume meat.

Some of the popular meats include chicken, pork, beef, and yak. In addition to stews made of meat, they like to eat dried meat. Spinach, onion, potatoes, radishes, pumpkins, bamboo shoots, fiddlehead ferns, mushrooms, and broccoli are some popular vegetables in Bhutan. Fish is rarely consumed as the country has very strict rules and regulations on fishing.

4. Huge Influence Of Tibetan Cuisine

If you've been to Tibet, you may notice that Bhutanese food bears similarities to Tibetan cuisine. That's unsurprising as historically, the early settlers of Bhutan came from Tibet. However, as the food habits and dishes continue to evolve, Bhutan continues to develop its own distinctive cuisine. Hence, Bhutanese food is spicier compared to Tibetan food.

5. Bhutan Food Culture And Traditional Eating Habits

Food culture and eating habits in Bhutan typically involve communal dining, with meals enjoyed using the right hand, emphasizing the importance of sharing and togetherness in their culinary practices.

Use Of Wooden Bowls And Bamboo Containers

Traditionally, dishes were served in dapas (wooden bowls), but with the easy availability of modern goods, ceramic bowls have replaced the wooden bowls. Sometimes, bangchung (a circular container made from special bamboo called yura) was also used to put rice and other dry snacks. However, you can still find the traditional dapas or bangchungs sold in many handicraft shops across the country.

Eating with hands

Traditionally, Bhutanese used to eat with their hands while sitting cross-legged on their wooden floors. With modernisation, eating habits have changed and evolved. In urban areas, Bhutanese usually eat with cutleries such as fork and spoon. Today, you will only find Bhutanese eating with their hands when they are at home or having a picnic.

Eating within a group

Bhutanese usually eat in the form of a group. When eating in a group, it’s traditionally expected to sit in a circle and cross-legged on the floor. In the past, the head of family is served first and no one can leave until all the members of the family finish eating and silence is to be maintained while eating. However, these traditional practices are fading with modernisation. Silence is no longer maintained and laughter is shared during mealtimes.

Bhutan is an enchanting country rich in culture and traditions. One can only understand the full extent of its charm by experiencing it in person.

Conclusion About Must-Try Dishes in Bhutan

Bhutanese food is a delicious blend of flavors that showcases the country's unique culture and traditions. As Bhutan continues to gain recognition on the global stage, its cuisine offers a fascinating glimpse into the nation's identity and values.

Exploring Bhutanese food provides an opportunity to appreciate the rich agricultural practices, local ingredients, and time-honored cooking methods that have been passed down through generations.

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