Bhutanese food is simple, hearty and built for cold mountain days: red rice, fresh cheese, seasonal greens and plenty of chillies. Hotels also serve milder Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes, but the real flavours of the country are worth seeking out.
Ema datshi, the national dish
Ema datshi means "chilli cheese". Large green or red chillies are simmered with onions, tomatoes and datshi, a soft farmer's cheese made from cow or yak milk, until they form a rich, spicy stew. It is eaten with rice at almost every meal. Try its gentler cousins too:
- Kewa datshi: potatoes with cheese, a favourite for those who prefer less heat.
- Shamu datshi: wild or button mushrooms in cheese sauce.
- Hogay: a fresh salad of cucumber, chilli, onion and crumbled cheese.
Red rice and other staples
Bhutanese red rice is grown in the Paro and Punakha valleys. It is a semi-milled variety with a nutty flavour that turns pale pink and slightly sticky when cooked. At higher altitudes, where rice will not grow, people eat buckwheat and barley. Bumthang is famous for puta (buckwheat noodles) and khuli (buckwheat pancakes).
Dishes you should try
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Phaksha paa | Pork stir-fried with dried red chillies, radish or bok choy. Often made with sun-dried pork (sikam). |
| Jasha maru | Spicy minced chicken stew with tomato, garlic, ginger and coriander. |
| Shakam paa | Dried beef cooked with chillies and radish, a classic of the high valleys. |
| Momos | Steamed dumplings filled with pork, beef, cheese or cabbage, served with fiery chilli sauce. |
| Hoentay | Buckwheat dumplings from Haa Valley, stuffed with turnip greens, cheese and spinach. |
| Jaju | A light soup of milk, butter and leafy greens. |
| Goen hogay | Fresh cucumber and chilli salad, cool and crunchy. |
What to drink
- Suja (butter tea): tea churned with butter and salt. Savoury, warming and offered to every guest.
- Ngaja: sweet milk tea, the everyday cup in towns and offices.
- Ara: a traditional spirit distilled at home from rice, maize or barley, sometimes warmed with butter and egg.
- Local beer & whisky: Bhutan brews Red Panda wheat beer in Bumthang and produces its own whiskies.
Good to know: Tuesday is traditionally a "dry day" in Bhutan, when bars and shops do not sell alcohol. Hotels may still serve drinks to guests.
Snacks and street food
Look out for zow (crispy puffed rice tossed in butter and sugar, served with suja), chugo (dried yak cheese so hard you suck on it like a sweet), roasted corn and sikam (dried pork fat). Weekend markets in Thimphu and Paro are the best places to sample them.
You will also see people chewing doma: betel nut wrapped in a betel leaf with a little lime. It is offered as a sign of hospitality and is an important part of social life.
Vegetarian, vegan and mild options
Vegetarians eat very well in Bhutan. Many traditional dishes are meat-free, and Buddhist beliefs mean animals are rarely slaughtered locally. Most meat is imported from India. Hotels serve buffets with plenty of vegetables, dal and rice, and Indian vegetarian food is easy to find. Tell us your dietary needs when you book, including Jain, vegan or gluten-free, and we will arrange suitable meals throughout your trip.
Not a chilli lover? Ask for dishes to be made "less spicy". Your guide can order on your behalf, and hotels usually serve chilli sauce on the side.
Food experiences to add to your trip
Farmhouse dinner
Eat with a family in a traditional home in Paro or Punakha. Try ara and help prepare ema datshi.
Hot stone bath
Relax in a dotsho after a hike, heated with river stones and medicinal herbs.
Weekend market walk
Explore the Centenary Farmers' Market in Thimphu with its piles of chillies, cheese and incense.
Cooking class
Learn to make momos and red rice from a local cook, then sit down to eat what you made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bhutanese food very spicy?
Traditional dishes can be very spicy, but hotels and restaurants catering to visitors offer milder versions and international food. Just ask for "less chilli".
Can vegetarians travel comfortably in Bhutan?
Yes. Bhutan is one of the easiest Himalayan countries for vegetarians. Many local dishes are meat-free and Indian vegetarian food is widely available.
Is tap water safe to drink in Bhutan?
We recommend bottled or filtered water. Most hotels provide drinking water, and we supply bottled water in the vehicle during your tour.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
