Discover Bhutanese Cuisine: A Culinary Journey through the Kingdom of Happiness
Bhutan is known for its stunning mountains and peaceful spirituality, but it also has an exciting and delicious cuisine. Bhutanese food is rich and flavourful and is based on history, tradition, and high altitude farming. Bhutanese cuisine gives you a taste of the country, its way of life, and is infused with the values of Buddhism. Bhutan’s culinary offerings combine hot, spicy, soup-like stews, creamy cheeses made from yak milk, and hearty grains such as barley and wheat. Let us help you discover the culinary treasures of Bhutan!
The Foundations: Staples of the High Himalayas
Before we start making a lower altitude dish with all these ingredients, let’s have a look at the main ingredients that form our taste:
- Red Rice: The nutty and chewy basis of our dishes. This red rice comes from the glacial-fed fields of Bhutan and is not only tasty, but also a great source of nutrition.
- Chilies (Sha Ema): Chilies are not only used as spices but are also considered to be vegetables. Whether fresh, dried or ground into a powder, chilies are at the centre of all our cooking.
- Datshi (The Magic Cheese): Homemade cottage cheese, made using either cow’s milk or yak’s milk. This cheese provides the creamy and rich flavour to offset the heat of our spices.
- Preserved Meats: To survive through the very long winters of Bhutan, we traditionally smoke and sun-dry pork (Phaksha), beef (Shakam) and yak meat.
Signature Dishes: The Must-Try List
🥘 Ema Datshi – The National Dish
Ema Datshi must be enjoyed when in Bhutan. It is the best spicy Cheese Stew and a great comfort food for culture seekers. Ema Datshi is present at almost every mealtime in Bhutan.
- Variations: You could try Kewa Datshi { potatoes } or Shamu Datshi { mushrooms } as milder, creamier alternatives for Ema Datshi.
🥟 Momos – Himalayan Comfort
Momos are steamed or fried dumplings made locally. They can be filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables and served with a spicy sauce called Ezay {spicy chilies}. Momos can be the perfect way to escape the mundane routine of your life.
Hoentay – Haa Valley Speciality
Hoentay are rare buckwheat dumplings that have turnip greens, Amaranth {a seed} and cheese in the filling. Hoentay is only found in the Haa Valley, a great dish to sample at the Haa Summer Festival
🍗 Jasha Maru – Spiced Chicken Stew
A lighter, tastier alternative to Ema Datshi made with finely chopped chicken, ginger, garlic, onion, etc., Jasha Maru gives the same warming effects as Ema Datshi but without the use of heavy oils. It’s a big favourite for wellness enthusiasts.
🍪 Hoentay – A Haa Valley Specialty
Hoentay are rare buckwheat dumplings that have turnip greens, Amaranth {a seed} and cheese in the filling. Hoentay is only found in the Haa Valley, a great dish to sample at the Haa Summer Festival
Beverages to Warm the Soul
- Suja (Butter Tea): Butter Tea, or Suja, is a traditional Bhutanese beverage made from tea leaves from Bhutan mixed with salt and placed in a stability container with butter made from Yaks, later being mixed together in liquid form (to form a created mix of Yaks milk to water ratio). This creates a very warm tea that creates an overall comfortable feeling, especially on cold mornings in the mountains.
- Ara: Ara is the pure spirit made by distilling fermented rice, maize or buckwheat into a very potent drink. It is typically consumed hot with a poached egg and is considered to be the drink of celebration and togetherness.
The Bhutanese Dining Experience
Meals are a communal experience and culturally significant in Bhutan. Meals are typically served on large trays and are eaten from the centre of the table; everyone can see what everyone has to eat. Eating together encourages the social aspect of sharing, but it can also create the opportunity for time spent together as a family and a community. A typical meal will have three main elements: rice (which will be red), a spicy vegetable stew (such as Ema Datshi), and some sort of protein (the protein will usually be meat or cheese). Food is not just a source of nourishment, but represents hospitality and community.
Food and Festivals: A Cultural Celebration
The various festivals in Bhutan are the best times to find out about all of the different types of Bhutanese foods available. At these festive times, you will be treated to festivals with family, friends and strangers gathering to prepare and eat traditional food such as Ema Datshi, momos and Jasha Maru. To Bhutanese, food provides nourishment, but it is much more important than just being a source of nourishment. It can also be the heart of the connection between people during times of celebration, prayer and reflection.
Best Time to Explore Bhutanese Cuisine
To truly appreciate the full range of Bhutanese cuisine, the best season to eat Bhutanese food is the festival season; during the festivals, you can experience all of the different types of Bhutanese foods, and see firsthand how varied and unique Bhutanese food really is. Travel to Bhutan in Spring (March – May) or Autumn (September – November) to experience the full extent of the festivals, and at the same time to enjoy the perfect weather while travelling throughout Bhutan’s rich culinary landscape.
Book your culinary adventure in Bhutan today!