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Bhutanese Cuisine, Food in Bhutan
Sonam Dendup • May 18, 2020
Bhutanese Food is Known for Simplicity
Bhutanese cuisine by far uniquely stands out from the world simply for its simplicity and taste. In comparison to traditional Bhutanese cuisine no other cuisine comes even close in its taste and experience. That is why for the visiting foreigner food in Bhutan is an adventure in itself.
The main course consists of only rice and vegetable or meat curry/stew. However, rice is not just the ordinary white rice, in fact it is red rice and as the name suggests is reddish in color, unpolished and with a nutty, earthy flavor which is high in fiber, and of course grown only in the highlands of Bhutan and in few places around the world. The curry or stew consists of vegetables cooked with cottage cheese (slightly rotten!) and other usual garnishing like salt, oil, onion and tomatoes. However, it is the cheese (churned from cow’s milk) which brings out the real taste in the curry.
Called ‘ema datse’, hot and spicy chili cooked in cheese is considered as the national dish and has become quite popular around the world. Except for the Bhutanese, other people prefer to replace the chili with other fresh vegetables as the original ema datse is absolutely hot and extremely spicy. Mushroom, potato, aubergine, cabbage, wild ferns, asparagus, orchids and many other fresh vegetables cooked in cheese with only a wee bit of chili is an absolute delight and popular with the visiting tourists and many a tourist take back recipes written down by a Bhutanese friend or an acquaintance.
Not only are fresh vegetables and meats consumed, but they are also dried (either smoked or sun dried) and preserved for the lean season. Dried beef and pork are considered special and normally eaten during festivals and celebrations.
Apart from this hot dish which is common all over the country, there are many other exotic dishes unique to a region or a particular village. Bumthang is popular for buck wheat noodles and flat breads, the eastern districts of the country take the privilege of growing the finest and best green chilies, and the western districts for their different varieties of red rice. Vegetables are seasonal, organic and grown all over the country.
The staple food is rice and huge serving of rice with curry is eaten in all the three meals. Salted butter tea, another exotic Bhutanese drink is served with meals and has a rich buttery taste.
However, the good news is that traditional Bhutanese food is not limited to the Bhutanese kitchen or household only, and almost all hotels and restaurants serve all varieties depending upon your taste buds for spiciness and choice of vegetables. As much as you will enjoy the landscape, culture and tradition of the country, you will also enjoy the food served in Bhutan with a lot of love and happiness.
Through this undisturbed tropical, sub-tropical and Alpine regions of virgin forests, waterfalls and lakes, highland nomadic villages, undisturbed nature and views of the Greater Himalayas and Snow Capped Peaks, Bhutan offers some of the best trekking experiences all year round.
The view from there is the panoramic sight of almost all the tallest Himalayan Mountain of Bhutan like majestic Gangkar Puensum, formidable Table Mountain and Tiger Mountain. As it is located at the top, the view of the Himalayan ranges is better than anywhere in the area, even as compared to famous Dochula Pass.
For Bhutanese, Gross National Happiness means a good government that creates an enabling environment for people to pursue happiness in a meaningful way. The result is a country at peace with itself, and people at peace with themselves!
To Experience True Zhemgang
The Healing Power of Nature
Bird Watching in the Hotspot of Oldest National Park
The Crown Jewel of Bhutan's National Parks
Trong Village - To Promote Eco-Tourism in Zhemgang
Clinging on a huge rock towards the north end of the Tang valley lies the Thowa Drak Hermitage just like the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro. From the valley or road point it is a stiff 3 hours hike uphill through the serene and peaceful forest. Sweeping views of the Tang valley and the landscape can be enjoyed along the way with a bird’s eye view from the main site.
A quick visit to the Swiss Cheese Factory and Brewery is a refreshing alternative after visiting many temples and religious sites in the Bumthang valley. The Factory was started in the late 1960’s by a Swiss national Mr Fritz Maurer who visited Bhutan and settled in Bumthang.