How Bhutanese food taste to first-time travellers?

If you think Bhutan is only about breathtaking landscapes, beautiful monasteries, and diverse wildlife, then you need to consider the aspect of mouth-watering Bhutanese food. The cuisine of Bhutan is known for its unique and fiery flavour, which can offer a distinct taste to first-time travellers.

So, if you are looking to try diverse local Bhutanese foods while exploring the country’s stunning landscapes, then choosing the best Bhutan travel agency can be a feasible option. This is because the reliable tour operators can also arrange authentic food experiences for you, along with handling logistics and accommodation.

This blog will shed light on how Bhutanese food tastes to first-time travellers. Before covering that, let us explore the most popular Bhutanese foods that are a must-try for tourists.

Know The Most Popular Bhutanese Foods That Are a Must-Try for Tourists

Here are some of the most popular and worth trying Bhutanese foods:

●       Ema Datshi: This dish is considered the national pride in Bhutan, which is known even by people across borders. This dish is often prepared by adding onions, tomatoes, garlic, and sometimes mushrooms. The combination of Ema Datshi works perfectly well with steamed rice because it balances the intense heat and rich flavour.

●       Phaksha Paa: If you are a non-vegetarian and fond of pork meat, then Phaksha Paa is a must-try for you. The main ingredients of this dish are sliced pork, fiery chilli, radish, onions, garlic, and spinach. A gravy or stew is prepared by using these ingredients and is served best with traditional Bhutanese red rice. Phasksha is a perfect dish for the cool climate in Bhutan because it is served hot and has an intense spicy flavour.

●       Jasha Maru: This is a popular dish in Bhutan and is a type of chicken stew or curry. The main ingredients of Jasha Maru are minced or diced chicken, garlic, ginger, onions, and tomatoes. Occasionally, lime is also added to enhance the flavour of this dish. It is served best with steamed rice, and the main attraction of this dish is its spicy flavour along with the stew. For Indian tourists who refrain from eating other meats except chicken, Jasha Maru is a must-try.

●       Kewa Datshi: This is a highly popular and comforting Bhutanese dish that has potatoes, cheese, and chillies as the main ingredients. It is a wonderful choice for vegetarians and is also a bit milder than Ema Datshi. Kew Datshi is served hot either with steamed rice or tingmo (Tibetan buns). The addition of cheese makes this dish creamy and saucy.

●       Momo: These are dumplings that are influenced by the Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. In Bhutan, momo has its unique local flavour based on the use of ingredients, such as organic vegetables, yak cheese, minced meat (chicken, beef, or pork), and spicy chillies. There are vegetarian options for Momo as well, which adds to its popularity. Overall, Momo is a comfort street food in Bhutan, which makes it a must-try for tourists.

Here Is How Bhutanese Food Taste To First-Time Travellers

For first-time travellers, Bhutanese food offers the following tastes:

●       Spicy dominance: The popular Bhutanese foods are dominated by a spicy flavour due to the inclusion of fiery chillies. The love for chillies among Bhutanese people is reflected in the dominating presence of chillies in popular local dishes. However, the use of cheese helps in balancing the spicy flavour to a certain extent. Despite the addition of cheese, first-time travellers are most likely to feel the spicy flavour while trying popular dishes, such as Ema Datshi or Jasha Maru.

●       Cheesy richness: Cheese is another dominant ingredient used in some of the most popular Bhutanese dishes. In the Bhutanese language, cheese is called “datshi”, which is used as a rich and creamy sauce. For first-time travellers, trying Bhutanese dishes can bring a unique and rich cheesy flavour to the mouth because it is used as a core ingredient, unlike other neighbouring countries, such as India and Nepal.

●       Strong aroma of spices: Use of ginger and garlic in some of the popular Bhutanese foods creates a strong aroma that can captivate the taste buds of first-time travellers. The distinct aroma can prove to be a major satisfying element in terms of enhanced satisfaction while trying local foods. For people in the subcontinent, ginger and garlic are two common ingredients, so for first-time travellers from India or Nepal, this aroma can be highly captivating.

●       Earthy and nutty flavour: Red rice is immensely popular in Bhutan. This rice has a nutty flavour and a slightly sticky texture. Thus, for first-time travellers, trying the red rice with spicy curries or stew can offer a nutty and spicy taste. Tourists often give an overwhelming response to the combination of red rice and spicy curries. Overall, first-time travellers can enjoy the traditional taste of Bhutan by trying this rice.

●       Simple and wholesome: The Bhutanese foods are simple because they contain ingredients such as butter, cheese, eggs, meat, organic vegetables, and chillies. First-time travellers can feel the enjoyment of eating simple and wholesome foods in Bhutan.

Final Thoughts:

If you are travelling to Bhutan for the first time, then trying Bhutanese food needs to be one of your priorities. This is because of the rich and spicy, yet simple, nature of Bhutanese foods. Imagine the level of cultural immersion when you witness breathtaking views and beautiful monasteries, along with trying local delicacies. 

Therefore, it is advisable to choose the tour services of a reputed Bhutan travel agency, such as RS Travels, so that you can enjoy local delicacies as well, based on proper guidance. Explore the best of Bhutanese foods by acquiring knowledge about the country’s food delicacies.