Bhutanese Food: Chillies, Rice and Cheese in Yummy Combos

Going to Bhutan and wondering about the local cuisine? Worry not, get adventurous, and try new culinary experiences! Here are some tips to get you started on your culinary journey of the Kingdom in the Clouds.

The three things that form a part of most Bhutanese food are: chillies, rice, and cheese! In Bhutan, chillies are considered a vegetable and not just a spice. They form the main ingredient in most, if not all dishes, so much so that Bhutan’s National Dish, Ema datsi, is a preparation of chilli peppers and fresh yak cheese, and is available in almost all restaurants. It is also the national dish and a source of cultural pride! If you are afraid that the dish may be too hot to handle, you can ask the local chefs to cut down on the spice. Pair the dish with native red rice for a complete meal. 

The rice is mostly red rice (a variety of rice that grows in high altitudes); and other cereal include buckwheat and maize. Meat is common in most dishes and includes chicken, dry beef and pork.

Vegetarians can choose from a wide variety of dishes, prepared mostly with a smothering of cheese sauce. These include non-spicy options such as kewa datse (potatoes with cheese sauce) and shamu datse (mushrooms with cheese sauce). Try some of the most unique ingredients including nettles, orchids, fern fronds, asparagus and several varieties of mushrooms, oozing with abundant flavour. Vegans should check before ordering whether a dish contains cheese or eggs. Soups and stews consisting of meat, rice, ferns, lentils and dried vegetables, spiced with chili peppers and cheese, are popular during the winter months.

Tibetan-style dishes are also common in Bhutan and make for great snacks. Small steamed dumplings known as momos, filled with meat or cheese, are best enjoyed with chilli sauce. Fried cheese momos are a delicacy in several restaurants in Thimpu.

You’ll also find Indian food here. Most hotels and restaurants serve dal and rice, although chapatis are difficult to find. Among other things, Bhutanese love to chew doma (also known as paan), so don’t be surprised if you hear the phrase “doma zhes” (“Please have betel leaf and areca nut”) multiple times during the day.

It is a good idea to place your meal order well in advance or you may end up waiting a long time. When ordering from a menu, don’t be surprised if many of the dishes are not available.

Want to know more about what to eat, buy and do in Bhutan, check out this blog.

By Nishant Jain