Unveil the Wonders of Bhutan

Food is one of the most important aspects of any traveler’s experience. We have found that the usual model of hotel & restaurant food available in Bhutan is not offered at as high of a standard as it could be, so we have supplemented those offerings with a food program of our own. Of course, one method is to bring our guests into the homes of exemplary locals who cook some of the best meals in the country. Beyond this, we have also collaborated with our favorite Bhutanese village chefs to offer a picnic and catering program that merges traditional ingredients with contemporary culinary concepts. To further advance the experience, we plan picnics in culturally and/or historically significant environments as well as natural settings. One of the standout features of the Comfort Picnic program is the challenge we give to our chefs to source ingredients solely from the valley in which the picnic is happening. This approach not only ensures that the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, but it also allows guests to taste the authentic flavors of that particular valley. This aspect of the program adds an educational element to the experience as guests can learn about the unique ingredients and culinary traditions of each valley in Bhutan. The combination of locally sourced ingredients, stunning natural settings, and expertly prepared meals by talented Bhutanese chefs, creates a one-of-a-kind picnic experience that is memorable for any traveler visiting Bhutan.

Bangchang is a traditional undistilled alcoholic beverage brewed from wheat or maize corn, fermented with homemade yeast and mixed with hot water. It is stored and served in a woven bamboo container. Because of its low alcoholic content and sweetened sour fragrance, it is drank more often than the usual alcohol. Its popularity against the variety of factory produced alcoholic beverages is noteworthy and can be attributed both to sentimental and traditional factors and for its unique taste. While the people in the western part of the country drink bed tea in the morning, the people in the central and eastern Bhutan generally drink bangchang. Zhemgang or Kheng, in the south-central part of the country, is known for bangchang and they don't let guests leave without offering to taste their famed bangchang. In the cities, Bangchang is sought after for the nostalgic attachment to ones village roots. The villagers drink it as an analgesic for their aching bones after a hard day’s work in the fields. Bangchang is deep rooted in the religious history of Bhutan, popularly served during important traditional ceremonies and often offered at alters of monasteries. Bangchang is believed to be safer than other alcoholic beverages due to its natural brewing process. It is produced year round.

Dr. Karma Tshering is Bhutan's conservationist pioneer who has had an array of interesting and enriching experiences throughout his sparkling career of 20 plus years working for the conservation sector for the government of Bhutan under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. He also has worked for national parks in the United States and Africa, serves as an evaluator/judge for the National Geographic unique lodges program and legacy awards, and is the founder of the nonprofit Bhutan Sustainable Tourism Society. An evening at Dr. Karma’s residence with homemade dinner prepared very lovingly by his family and his absolutely enriching talk is nothing short of an experience of a lifetime.

Mountain Café is located in the middle of Paro town and 15 minutes from Paro Airport. Serving vegetarian dishes and organic food along with a wide variety of housemade beverages, the café offers an eclectic menu filled with locally infused dish designed for foreign taste buds.

Namgay Artisinal Brewery in Damsibu, opposite the Paro International Airport, is a brewery founded by Dorji Gyaltshen, a man who dared to dream of a craft beer tradition in a country where Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the government’s driving philosophy. Dorji believes his creation of a modern beer culture is directly linked to his selfless intention of involving local farmers by integrating local ingredients to create a unique line of domestic beers.

Risum Restaurant is the dining facility of Risum Resort, a 3-star hotel with 26 rooms in the remote and little-visited Haa Valley of far western Bhutan. The restaurant serves spicy, traditional Bhutanese food in mostly buffet style with the expected rice, vegetable, and curry dishes — all of it decent, nourishing, warm, and plentiful. Indian and Chinese dishes are offered as well.

7th, Hotel Druk's restaurant, has a well-deserved reputation for the quality and authenticity of its dishes. Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Continental cuisines are cooked from scratch, using only the healthiest, least processed ingredients.

The district of Haa hasn’t really woken up to the speed of development the rest of Bhutan has been affected with and the town of Haa is still a sleepy little town, with very limited modern touches and a whole lot of traditional clinging. Thinley Dorji Restaurant and Bar lives up to this ambience, a nostalgic little restaurant that seems to exude an air of tranquility, at any given hour of any day.

If you are ever in Thimphu's Centenary Farmer’s Market and if the various fragrances that surround the market suddenly give way to a peculiar aroma wafting through the air that seems to pull on your hunger strings, don’t be alarmed. It is probably the hot plates of dumplings being served at Wangchen Momo Corner. Arguably the best dumplings in town, Wangchen Momo Corner is tucked away in the perfect corner of the market.

If you find yourself hankering for Himalayan dishes with a Tibetan slant while in Thimphu, head over to Momo House. This little tucked-away treasure attracts a regular cast of locals who come for their specialty “ting” momos — steamed dumplings stuffed with beef chili (shapta) or potato and cheese sauce (kewa datshi). They churn out fresh ting momos all day long and never run out.

Here, enjoy some of Thimphu's best ting momos and beef momos — which, along with an ema-fired beef phin curry and ema datsi, are the only menu items. With no sign, and just six plastic stools, the restaurant is known informally as "Acho La" (Big Brother) or "Tibetan Uncle,” honoring its affable owner, Wangyel. He shares that the secret name for the eatery is Peace. Even its location mystifies on-the-go lunchers, cozied behind a concrete mall and an iron gate.

Despite its central location on Clock Tower Square — the painted dragons of the tower are just outside the door — Musk Restaurant & Bar doesn't usually see all that many tourists. Locals come here because the food is great and the vibe is friendly and relaxed. It's a favorite hangout of local tour operators in particular, and sometimes folks chill for hours. Join them and watch the capital city go by from one of the two outside tables.