The food of Paro is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the country and is admired by global food enthusiasts. There are numerous hotels in Paro that serve a range of delectable dishes of Bhutanese cuisine. The people of Bhutan are known for their ancient customs and techniques which go for food as well. The Bhutanese cuisine is more than just food and reflects the country’s diversity and way of life.
The majority of the food dishes are made from homegrown ingredients prepared with authentic cooking techniques. Chilly and cheese are the two major food ingredients used in most of the dishes which might be harsh for new pallets. Red rice and dairy products are part of a staple diet that is consumed on a daily basis. While most of the dishes are non-vegetarian, there are numerous options for vegetarians. In this blog, you can find some of the most popular dishes of Paro that are a must-try for every traveller.
Ema Datshi
Considered the national dish of Bhutan, Ema Datshi is one of the most common dishes that you can see in the city of Paro. The dish includes a perfect combination of chilli and cheese which are blended with seasonal vegetables and local spices. This is food that you can get anywhere, from some of the best hotels in Paro to street-side restaurants. Ema Datshi is mostly made with thick gooey cheese made from the milk of cow and yak.
Kewa Datshi
Kewa Datshi is similar to Ema Datshi which is made with the same combination of chilli and cheese but with the addition of potatoes. This is one of the most preferred dishes by locals due to its rich taste and high spice levels. Prepared with diced potatoes along with cheese and butter, Kewa Datshi is mostly consumed with red rice and is part of the staple diet in Paro. The dish is served in a thick gravy texture, while some prefer to have it dry, especially the younger ones for its high spicy flavours.
Jasha Maru
Jasha Maru is similar to the chicken stew with a Bhutanese touch. The dish includes diced or shredded chicken pieces cooked along with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and local spices. It is considered a soul food for the locals and can be found in any hotel in Paro. Despite being a chicken stew, the dish has a high amount of chillies that can be challenging for people with low spice tolerance. However, you ask the hotel chef to use less chilly so that you can enjoy the rich flavours of Jasha Maru.
Phaksha Paa
If you are a non-vegetarian, then Phaksha Paa may be the star dish in your entire Paro trip. Cooked with boneless sliced pork meat and seasonal vegetables along with local spices, the dish is undoubtedly one of the best foods you can try in Paro. The vibrant dish mostly used preserved meats that reflect the culinary heritage of Bhutanese cuisine where dishes include fermented and preserved ingredients. The dish can either be served as a stew or in the form of thick gravy that can be enjoyed with a plate of red rice.
Puta
One of the most commonly consumed dishes in the city of Paro, Puta is a type of handmade noodles made from buckwheat. The noodle is mostly accompanied by a variety of sauces made from a mixture of chilli, onions, and tomatoes. Puta is considered as a special food which is mostly prepared at the time of festivals or special religious occasions. However, you can also find the dishes in some of the best hotels in Paro that are made authentically with organic ingredients.
Ara
Ara is a traditional alcoholic beverage of Bhutan, made from fermented rice, millet, wheat or barley. Unlike other alcoholic beverages, Ara has a slightly sweet and tangy taste and is often served at social gatherings and celebrations. Ara is typically enjoyed with traditional Bhutanese dishes like Ema Datshi, Hoentay and Momo. As a popular drink in Bhutan, Ara is an important part of the country's culture and is often served in traditional wooden bowls. Although there are many hotels in Paro that serve Ara, homestays are the best way to savor the authentic flavours of the drink.
Momos
One of the most admired food dishes in South Asian countries, Momo is one of the major parts of Bhutanese cuisine that can be relished in the city of Paro. Momo is a part of a staple diet made with wheat flour and a mixture of vegetables and meats that are consumed with a variety of sauces. Whether it's lunchtime, dinner or evening craving, momo can be the perfect dish to fulfil your food cravings. In Paro, you can have momo in a variety of sizes, shapes and textures. While most of them are steamed some are served with added gravy from the top that tastes heavenly.
Hoentay
Hoentay is one of the most popular food dishes of Paro and is also considered the national dish of Bhutan. Having similarities with momo, these are bigger and are prepared using buckwheat which turns out to be a healthy substitute for momo. The dish is mostly prepared during Losar, the Tibetan New Year or during religious occasions. Unlike momo which includes meat, Hoentay is filled with a mixture of spinach, turnip, ginger, onions and cottage cheese. You can also find various versions of Hoentay which use a variety of fillings based on different tastes served with chilli sauce and a bowl of soup.
Red Rice
Enriched with fibre and essential vitamins, Red Rice is part of a staple diet that is widely consumed all over the valley. The rice has earthy flavours and is gluten free making it one of the best substitutes for brown rice. The red rice is cooked in a normal way and takes less time as compared to traditional white rice. The rice is mostly consumed with a variety of local dishes including Ema Datshi and Phaksha Paa making it a must-try food in Paro.
Thuep
A Thuep is a form of rice porridge that is prepared during celebrations. The dish is the most common breakfast which offers nutritional value making it the perfect dish to start your day. Normally, Thuep is made with rice along with a variety of seasonal vegetables, spices and cheese. Known for its strong flavours and unique texture, this is a food that you should not miss during your trip.
The valley of Paro is highly known for offering some of the finest food dishes of Bhutanese cuisine. Although there are ample hotels in Paro that serve Bhutanese cuisine, homestays and restaurants are the best ways to savor authentic flavours of Bhutan. You should also have a better idea about the dishes as most of them have a high use of chilly and can be intolerable for some.
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