Phaksha Paa (Bhutanese Pork with Radish and Chilies)
In short: Pork with some fat, simmered with white radish, dried red chilies, garlic and greens until tender in a spicy, rich sauce. Served with red rice. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Phaksha paa is a pork dish that appears at many Bhutanese celebrations and everyday meals. Traditionally it is made with dried or smoked pork, which adds a deep flavor. Fresh pork also works well. The pork is fried in its own fat, then simmered with dried red chilies and white radish until the meat is tender. It is spicy and rich, and best with a big plate of red rice.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork and fry for 10 minutes, turning, until the fat renders and the edges brown.
- Add the garlic, ginger and chilies and stir for 1 minute.
- Add the radish, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until the pork is very tender.
- Uncover and simmer for 5 minutes if the sauce is thin. Stir in the greens and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted.
- Taste, adjust the salt and serve hot with red rice.
Tips
- For a closer taste to the traditional version, use smoked bacon or smoked pork belly instead of half the fresh pork, and reduce the salt.
- Turnips can replace radish, and spinach, kale or mustard greens can replace bok choy.
Questions and answers
How spicy is phaksha paa?
Moderate to very hot, depending on the chilies. Use milder dried chilies or only 2 to start for a gentler dish.
Can I make phaksha paa ahead of time?
Yes. It tastes better the next day and keeps for 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and add the greens fresh.
What do you serve with phaksha paa?
Red rice and a milder dish such as kewa datshi to balance the heat.
How long does it take to make Phaksha Paa (Bhutanese Pork with Radish and Chilies)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Phaksha Paa (Bhutanese Pork with Radish and Chilies)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
