Ostensibly, Bhutan sounds like a vegan (or at the very least a vegetarian) paradise - not only does Bhutan restrict meat sales on certain days, but the country has also recently voted in favour of expanding these restrictions. This now means that on the 8th, 10th, 15th, 25th and 30th of the Lunar calendar people are not allowed to sell meat.
Further, around 75% of Bhutanese people are Buddhist (which is a religion rooted in respect for all living beings). Whilst there are those of them that don't give up meat and other animal products and thus aren't really aligning their beliefs to their actions, they're still more likely to accept veganism than places where people don't culturally have respect for all living beings.
But vegetarianism is not veganism and whilst you will find it easy to avoid meat in Bhutan, cheese and dairy in general is another problem. One of Bhutan's national dishes is literally just cheese and chilli, and many are very proud of it.
Don't despair though, as usual I am here to help you on your travels (or if you live in Bhutan, your homelife)! Like most places in the world there are (accidentally) vegan dishes in Bhutan that you can order almost anywhere, there are locally grown fruits and vegetables that you have to try and there is even a new vegan restaurant in Bhutan (as well as many vegan-friendly ones). We'll explore all this and more in this Vegan in Bhutan travel guide:
I like to try traditional local dishes that have been adapted to veganism as much as the next vegan, but, and I think you might agree with me, trying dishes that are local and accidentally vegan is something else.
But vegetarianism is not veganism and whilst you will find it easy to avoid meat in Bhutan, cheese and dairy in general is another problem. One of Bhutan's national dishes is literally just cheese and chilli, and many are very proud of it.
Vegan In Bhutan Guide
Don't despair though, as usual I am here to help you on your travels (or if you live in Bhutan, your homelife)! Like most places in the world there are (accidentally) vegan dishes in Bhutan that you can order almost anywhere, there are locally grown fruits and vegetables that you have to try and there is even a new vegan restaurant in Bhutan (as well as many vegan-friendly ones). We'll explore all this and more in this Vegan in Bhutan travel guide:
Accidentally Vegan Bhutanese Dishes and Foods
I like to try traditional local dishes that have been adapted to veganism as much as the next vegan, but, and I think you might agree with me, trying dishes that are local and accidentally vegan is something else.
Firstly, it's more likely to be readily available more often, and secondly you're trying what everyone else is trying. Let's explore:
Etiquette note: when offered (vegan) food, you should say "meshu meshu" whilst covering your mouth with your hands - this is a polite way of refusing, you then give in on the second or third offer.
- Eue Chum: Bhutanese red rice which is listed right at the top of wiki's Bhutanese cuisine page, a staple of Bhutanese people and, hey, accidentally vegan. It's the only kind of rice that grows in the high altitudes of Bhutan.
- Buckwheat: also a staple, also vegan so look out for puta, aka buckwheat noodles and khulee (buckwheat pancakes)
- Zow shungo: (leftover) fried rice and vegetables, yum
- Goen Hogay: spicy cucumber salad
- Zaow: puffed rice
- Sauteed Lom: stir-fried turnip leaves
- Lentils: you'll find many lentil dishes, double check they weren't cooked with dairy or meat
- Maise: another staple
- Locally grown fruits: strawberries in spring, mangoes in summer, apples in autumn and oranges in winter, wild mulberries, Himalayan raspberries, crab apples and figs
- Locally grown veggies: fiddleheads, turnips, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and lots more!
Etiquette note: when offered (vegan) food, you should say "meshu meshu" whilst covering your mouth with your hands - this is a polite way of refusing, you then give in on the second or third offer.
When offered non-vegan food, I would say "meshu meshu" and keep on refusing forever. Maybe they will think you're weird or rude, but etiquette is not a reason to eat animals or dairy imo.
One thing you can (usually) take part in as a vegan is drinking ara is the traditional rice wine of Bhutan and there are many good types of beers from Bhutan.
Before we go any further and explore restaurants in Bhutan for vegans, I think it's important to talk about your visa. The requirements will change, of course, depending on where you're from, what kind of visa you want, why you're going to Bhutan etc etc.
One thing you can (usually) take part in as a vegan is drinking ara is the traditional rice wine of Bhutan and there are many good types of beers from Bhutan.
Visa Requirements
Before we go any further and explore restaurants in Bhutan for vegans, I think it's important to talk about your visa. The requirements will change, of course, depending on where you're from, what kind of visa you want, why you're going to Bhutan etc etc.
As it's already slightly more complicated for us to travel as vegans to Bhutan (because we have to think about what and where we're eating), I recommend that you take off as many other extra burdens as possible. For example, a provider such as Dummy Ticket 365 might help you arrange your flight reservation details - whether that's before you get your visa or after. Just make sure your reservation matches the rest of your application.
I am happy to report that there is a vegan restaurant in Bhutan! Located in Thimpu (Menri Lam to be exact), Siddhi Bistro is new and fully, 100%, totally, completely vegan. Here you can try ema datshi (the national beloved dish of cheese and chilli) except here it's made with tofu instead of cheese! Yey! You can also try momos, thalis and tofu paa. They also serve Korean food?
Vegan Restaurants in Bhutan
I am happy to report that there is a vegan restaurant in Bhutan! Located in Thimpu (Menri Lam to be exact), Siddhi Bistro is new and fully, 100%, totally, completely vegan. Here you can try ema datshi (the national beloved dish of cheese and chilli) except here it's made with tofu instead of cheese! Yey! You can also try momos, thalis and tofu paa. They also serve Korean food?
Open 10am-9pm every day except for Tuesdays.
In places with an abundance of vegan restaurants, I usually don't bother mentioning vegan-friendly restaurants (aka restaurants that aren't vegan but do serve one or more vegan dishes). As Bhutan only has the one vegan restaurant though, I will mention them now (on the unlikely chance you don't want to eat at Siddhi Bistro every single day):
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Bhutan
In places with an abundance of vegan restaurants, I usually don't bother mentioning vegan-friendly restaurants (aka restaurants that aren't vegan but do serve one or more vegan dishes). As Bhutan only has the one vegan restaurant though, I will mention them now (on the unlikely chance you don't want to eat at Siddhi Bistro every single day):
- Hotel New Grand and Pure Vegetarian Bar - Thimpu
- Gashel - Thimpu
- Ambient Cafe - Thimpu
- Khamsum Inn - Thimpu
- Above Meat Co. - Thimpu
- Your Cafe - Paro
- Meera Restaurant and Bar - Paro
- Mountain Cafe - Paro
Note all of these restaurants are vegetarian so at least there's no meat!
Conclusion: Can You Be Vegan in Bhutan?
Short answer, in case you scrolled all the way without reading (valid), YES you can be vegan in Bhutan. With your trusty Eue Chum, Goen Hogay, Sauteed Lom, and lentils, a stop (or three) at Siddhi Bistro for vegan Ema Datshi and an abundance of fresh berries you're laughing.
If money isn't easy come, easy go for you, you should make sure you understand whether to buy a flight ticket before visa approval. Even vegans have to make sure their visa is approved!
Over to you - have you been to Bhutan? If you want to leave advice for other travellers, let me know and I will add it in here! (Photo credits: Rama Krushna Behera, Tenzin Wangchuk, Bradford Zak, DugSum, Aaron Santelices, Ujwal Hollica)
