The Dish You Have to Try

Ema Datshi

Bhutan’s unofficial national dish — chilies stewed in a thick, melted cheese sauce. It’s genuinely spicy, genuinely rich, and appears on nearly every table in the country.

Everyday Staples

Red Rice

Grown at high altitude, with a nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture — the base of most Bhutanese meals, alongside Ema Datshi or a meat stew.

Momos

Steamed dumplings filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, usually served with a fiery chili dipping sauce — a snack, not just a meal.

Something to Try Once

Suja (Butter Tea)

Salted, buttery tea that’s an acquired taste for most visitors — worth trying once, purely for the experience, even if it’s not for everyone.

“If it’s not a little too spicy, it’s not really Bhutanese.”

Where to Eat It

Most guesthouses and lodges serve home-style meals as part of your package — genuinely some of the best food you’ll have, cooked by people who’ve been making it their whole lives, not a restaurant performing “authenticity” for tourists.