Food and Drinks
The traditional Tibetan diet is mostly limited to barley, meat (mutton or yak) and dairy products, with very few spices or vegetables, although brutally hot chili sauce is often served on the side. Even good Tibetan food is very monotonous with most Tibetan restaurants serving nothing other than thukpa (noodle soup) and tea. Unfortunately there is not a single genuine high standard Tibetan restaurant in Tibet. One would have to go to neighbouring provinces such as Sichuan for such type of restaurant. All Tibetan restaurants in Lhasa featured in guidebooks and frequented by non-Chinese tourists are westernized ones serving a few Tibetan dishes along with pizzas, spaghetti, pancakes, etc.
Traditional plates:
Momos - dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried
Tingmo - bland, nearly tasteless steamed bread
Thukpa - a hearty noodle soup with veggies or meat
Thenthuk -
This is not permitted. If you plan to visit Tibet, be prepared to have a private tour or be part of a group tour. Before 2008, although a rarity, there were some free tours, however, all persons must be accompanied and have to go through various check points. This is for security reasons especially in the outskirts of Lhasa.
- How much tour freedom do I really have?
When visiting tour points in Tibet, you have to be accompanied by a tour guide but if you are relaxing for the day, you are permitted to be alone. There are very clear rule