Bhutan
Food Safety Tips
Essential food safety information to help you enjoy Bhutan's cuisine safely and confidently.
Check food hygiene standards in Bhutan
While Bhutan generally has good food hygiene standards, it's always wise to choose restaurants that appear clean and well-maintained.
Drink bottled water in Bhutan
In Bhutan, it's recommended to drink bottled water, especially in rural areas where water quality may vary.
Be cautious with street food in Bhutan
Street food in Bhutan can be delicious and safe, but choose vendors with high turnover and good hygiene practices.
Dietary Options
vegetarian
MEDIUM AVAILABILITYVegetarian options are increasingly available in Bhutan, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations.
vegan
LOW AVAILABILITYVegan options can be limited in Bhutan, as many traditional dishes include animal products. However, major cities may have specialized restaurants.
gluten-free
LOW AVAILABILITYFinding gluten-free options in Bhutan can be challenging. Consider learning key phrases to explain your dietary needs.
Common Allergens
Nuts
MEDIUM PREVALENCEVarious nuts are common in Bhutan's cuisine, particularly in desserts and some savory dishes.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Dairy
HIGH PREVALENCEDairy products are widely used in Bhutan, featuring in many traditional dishes.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Wheat
HIGH PREVALENCEWheat is a staple in Bhutan's cuisine, used in bread, pastries, and many other foods.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Essential Food Experiences
These iconic dishes represent the must-have culinary experiences that define Bhutan's food culture for travelers.
Ema Datshi (ཨེ་མ་དར་ཚིལ་)
Ema Datshi, Bhutan's national dish, is a hearty stew of chilies (ema) cooked in a cheesy sauce (datshi) made from yak or cow's milk cheese. It embodies the Bhutanese love for spice and rich flavors.
Phaksha Paa (ཕག་ཤ་པ)
Phaksha Paa are sliced pork dishes, often cooked with red chilies and radishes or spinach. The pork is typically stir-fried, resulting in a flavorful and slightly spicy dish.
Jasha Maru (ཇ་ཤ་མར་)
Jasha Maru is a rich and flavorful chicken stew cooked with ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and other spices. It's a comforting and aromatic dish often served with rice.
Regional Specialties & Local Favorites
Discover the authentic regional dishes and local favorites that showcase Bhutan's diverse culinary traditions.
Red Rice (འབྲུག་ཟན་)
Red rice, a staple in Bhutan, is a nutritious and flavorful variety of rice with a slightly nutty taste. It's often served with various dishes and forms the base of many Bhutanese meals.
Shamu Datshi (ཤ་མུ་དར་ཚིལ་)
Shamu Datshi is a creamy and savory dish made with mushrooms and cheese. It's a popular alternative to Ema Datshi for those seeking a milder flavor.
Allergens:
Regional Cuisine Highlights
Explore the diverse culinary landscapes across different regions of Bhutan.
Bumthang
Bumthang cuisine is known for its use of buckwheat and dairy products. Popular dishes include puta (buckwheat noodles) and various cheese-based dishes.
Cultural Significance:
Bumthang's fertile valleys contribute to a rich culinary tradition centered around locally sourced ingredients.
Signature Dishes:
- Puta
- Khur-le (buckwheat pancakes)
Key Ingredients:
Paro
Paro's cuisine features a variety of dishes influenced by neighboring regions. It's known for its use of fresh vegetables and river fish.
Cultural Significance:
Paro's location along trade routes has shaped its cuisine, incorporating diverse culinary influences.
Signature Dishes:
- Phaksha Paa
- Jasha Maru
Key Ingredients:
Sweet Delights & Desserts
Indulge in Bhutan's traditional sweet treats and desserts.
Zow Shungo (ཟོ་བཤུང་)
Zow Shungo is a traditional Bhutanese dessert made from rice, butter, and sugar. It's often served during special occasions and festivals.
Traditional Beverages
Discover Bhutan's traditional drinks, from locally produced spirits to regional wines.
Ara (ཨ་རག་)
Ara is a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, wheat, maize, or millet. It has a strong, distinct flavor and is often consumed during festivals and social gatherings.
Soft Beverages
Discover Bhutan's traditional non-alcoholic drinks, from local teas to refreshing juices.
Suja (སུ་ཇ་)
Suja is a traditional Bhutanese butter tea made by churning butter with tea leaves, salt, and water. It's a staple beverage, especially in the colder regions.
Chang (ཆང་)
Chang, a non-alcoholic version of Ara, is a fermented rice beverage with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. It's a refreshing drink often consumed during festivals.