I feel like happiness is a place is a phrase the Bhutanese would wholeheartedly agree with, considering the country measures its progress through Gross National Happiness. And if you’re someone who finds happiness in discovering mouth-watering local flavours, you’ll find that Bhutan is no ordinary place, and neither is its cuisine…
The food in Bhutan has a lot of chillies in it, in fact, they consider it a vegetable. So be ready to set your mouth on fire! Here are five lip-smacking delicacies to try for an amazing Bhutanese holiday experience.
Ema Datshi
This mouth-watering delicacy contains ingredients that are very basic, yes, chillies and the local Bhutanese cheese, Datshi. Either red or green chillies can be used to make this cheesy concoction, as the chillies are sliced length-wise and cooked in loads of butter and Datshi. This iconic preparation is widely regarded as a Bhutan famous dish and is often the first introduction travellers have to an authentic food in Bhutan.
When you sample this dish from a few local restaurants in Bhutan, you will realise that there are also subtle differences. While some restaurants may make it richer with cheese, there may be a few eateries that make them lighter and watery. For meat lovers, there is a meat version of ema Datshi too!
Red Rice
No matter where you stay in Bhutan, you will be served red rice with your curry. This variety of rice is healthier than white rice, it has more fibre and manganese. You can get approximately 80% of your daily manganese by eating just one serving of the red rice in Bhutan!
When the rice is cooked, the red colour changes to a pale red or rose pink and the texture of the rice becomes sticky and soft. Though it is more chewy than white rice, the health benefits are worth it! Pair any of the Bhutanese dishes with the coarser red rice and they will complement each other very well. This staple grain is an essential part of Bhutan’s popular food culture and accompanies most traditional meals.
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Po Cha
Po Cha or butter tea, is the Bhutanese version of tea, a delicacy that every tea lover should try when in Bhutan. The origin of this butter tea can be traced to Nepal and Tibet where it is staple.
The uniqueness of this tea comes from the fact that fresh yak butter is used as one of the ingredients. This comforting beverage is also an important part of everyday food in Bhutan, especially in colder regions.
A word of advice, if you have never tasted tea with butter or oil in it, you may not take to it immediately. However, this is a perfect drink for chilly evenings and crisp mornings in Bhutan.
Phaksha Paa
Pork is perhaps the most loved meat in Bhutan, and the Phaksha Paa (pork with red chillies) is a must-try Bhutanese dish. To make it, boneless strips from the pork shoulder are simply stir fried with whole dry red chillies. This hearty preparation is another highlight of Bhutan's famous food, loved by locals and visitors alike.
Typically, vegetables like bok choy, radish, and ginger are added to this meaty wonder. Couple this Bhutanese dish with red rice, and it is guaranteed to be finger-licking good! You can even mix it with some of the popular Datshi dishes.
Jasha Maroo
If you do not eat any meat other than chicken, you are definitely in luck in Bhutan. Jasha Maroo is a spicy chicken dish made with ingredients like garlic, coriander, ginger, onions, tomatoes, and of course, chillies. The thing that makes this dish so lip-smacking is the fact that all the ingredients used are instantly fresh and reflect the richness of traditional food in Bhutan.
When made with chicken broth, it is served as a stew. As with most other Bhutanese dishes, Jasha Maroo tastes absolutely delicious with red rice.
Dessert?
Alright, let’s talk about the desserts in Bhutan. It is common to finish meals with fresh fruits like watermelon and mangoes while some restaurants even serve Po Cha at the end of the meal. Do try different local dishes to make your Bhutan holiday experience more authentic and to fully experience the diversity of food in Bhutan.
