Food in Bhutan

Bhutan, a very unique country in the world, its food culture and history is one of a kind. A typical Bhutanese food contains lot of chilly and cheese, the combination of which is called ‘Ema Datshi’, Ema meaning chilly and Datshi meaning cheese in Bhutanese national language. Likewise, cheese is added in almost all kinds of vegetables and the dish gets the name accordingly. For example a combination of cheese with potatoes is called ‘Kewa Datshi’ , Kewa meaning potatoes. Along with this kind of curry dishes, goes rice which is consumed heavily in every household in Bhutan, the red one being more common.
Another typical Bhutanese food culture is consumption of dried vegetables and dried meat. If you visit the weekends vegetable market in Thimphu or any other district, you will notice that the local farmers sell a lot of dried vegetables. This culture goes long way with Bhutan’s history. Bhutan is a landlocked country and it did not open up to the outside world until 1970s because of which green vegetables in winter were not available specially in higher altitude areas. Hence, Bhutanese dried vegetables to sustain during cold winter days and hence it is now in the habit of every Bhutanese to consume a lot of dried vegetables.

Bhutanese Food to try on your Tour

There are varieties of dishes to try while you are in Bhutan but the locals are fond of spicy cuisines.

Red Rice

Red rice is similar to drown rice and when cooked it is soft, slightly sticky and very nutritious.

Ema Datshi

It is mixture of cheese with chillies, it can be red dried chilies or green chillies.

It can also be made with addition of ferns, potatoes, mushrooms.

Shakam Paa

Shakam Paa is slow cooked dried beef with dried red chillies served dried without any gravy which goes really well red rice.

Phaksha Paa

Phaksa paa is a dried pork served with red dried chillies, it can also go with radishes or spinach.

Jasha Maru

Jasha Maru is minced chicken dish with gravies and little bit of spice.

Momo (Dumplings)

It is one of the favourites of Bhutanese. Usually made up of minced beef or pork and also vegetarian consisting of cheese with cabbages and other ingredients like onions, ginger, etc. mixed together and wrapped by a white flour and water dough from outside.

It also comes with a spicy chutney and a soup.

Butter Tea (Suja)

It is made from special tea leaves, water, salt, Yak or cow butter churned well in a wooden churner and served hot.

If you are planning for traveling to Bhutan. Amedewa Tours & Trek will happy to help you to get amazing experience of Bhutanese culture.

Hotel Norpheling in Thimphu – Amedewa Tours And Trek

Hotel Norpheling

Rating: 3 Star

Hotel Norpheling is located in Thimphu along Simtokha – Babesa road, behind Express car wash/express fitness Gym, few minutes’ walk from Bank of Bhutan ltd (BOBL) head office, with easy access to all main places of attractions. It has 14 elegant designed rooms of three categories with all modern amenities and wide range of cuisine ranging from Bhutanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and Continental prepared by internationally trained chef, it is one of the best place to spend your time with friends and families.

Book your Customizable Bhutan Tour with us by mailing at travelamedewa@gmail.com or visit Amedewa Tours & Trek

Rooms

Jakar Bumthang festival | Bhutan Festival Tour

Jakar Festival in Bumthang

Jakar festival is held in Bumthang for three days inside the courtyard of Jakar Dzong with different mask dances performed by the monk body of Jakar Dzong and folk songs and dances are performed by the  villagers as a offering to the local deity of the valley. People and tourist gather to receive blessing for peace, prosperity and long life as attending such festival washes off all sins and bless one with good health.

Tentative festival date: 22-24 October, 2023

Day 1: Arrival in Paro International Airport

Upon arrival you will be greeted by your driver and guide from Amedewa Tours And Trek.

• Drive to Thimphu and visit iron bridge on the way.
• Tashichhodzong.

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu cultural sightseeing

Local Sightseeing of Thimphu

• Buddha dordenma
• National Memorial Chorten
• Simply Bhutan Museum
• Bhutan Postal Museum
• Motithang Takin Preserve
• Traditional Paper making factory

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Thimphu.

Day 3:  Day hike in Thimphu

 Activities for today

• Hike to Dodeydrak monastery and if time permits explore trail from Buddha Dordenma to Changangkha.
• Visit Homestays and mingle with locals if interested.

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Thimphu.

Day 4: Drive to Punakha

Activities for today

• On the way, visit 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens at Dochula, popularly known as the Dochula pass.
• Punakha Dzong
• Suspension bridge

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha to Trongsa

Activities for today

• Stop en route at Chendebji chorten.
• Visit Trongsa Dzong.

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Trongsa.

Day 6: Trongsa to Bumthang

Activities for today

• Visit Jakar dzong
• Stroll Bumthang town

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Bumthang.

Day 7: Bumthang sightseeing

Activities for today

• Kurjey Lhakhang
• Jambhay Lhakhang
• Tamshing Lhakhang
• Visit local weaving center

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Bumthang.

Day 8:  Jakar festival

Activities for today

• We will spend the entire day witnessing Jakar festival.

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Bumthang.

Day 9:  Bumthang to Gangtey

Activities for today

• We will drive to Gangtey and make multiple stops for photography

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or Homestays in Gangtey.

Day 10: Gangtey valley

Activities for today

• Gangtey goenpa
• Black necked crane center
• Explore Gangtey nature trail

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or Homestays in Gangtey.

Day 11: Gangtey to Paro

Activities for today

• We will drive to Paro and halt at the hotels or resorts in the evening.

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Paro.

Day 12: Paro sightseeing

Activities for today

• Paro Rinpung dzong
• Kichu Lhakhang
• National Museum

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Paro.

Day 13: Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass

Activities for today

• Chelela Pass
• Haa valley
• Lhakhang Karpo ( White temple )
• Lhakhang Nagpo ( Black temple )

Halt at min. 3 star rated hotel or resort in Paro.

Day 14: Paro Taktsang 

Activities for today

• Hike to Tiger’s Nest in Paro
• Hotstone Bath

Day 15: Outbound journey

Activities for today

• We bid farewell today and drop you to Paro airport

Package cost: USD 3630 for 1 pax 

USD 3550 per head for 2 pax 

USD 3190 per head for 3 pax and above 

For  group and student discount, please refer here.

Contact us at travelamedewa@gmail.com or Phone/WhatsApp at +97517306726