Vikas Khanna’s Bhutan
The Michelin-starred chef loves the peace and quiet of the Mountain Kingdom
WHY BHUTAN? The country has such a deep connection to nature. I had been trying to visit here for many years. The landscapes, monasteries, food, and nature are so connected to each other. It’s a country worth spending time in, with family and friends.
FAVOURITE STAYS Uma by COMO, Paro (tel: +975 8
27 1597; www.comohotels.com). When I was there for the first time, I clearly remember the sunset—I felt as if I had never been so happy in my life. I generally stay here for the simple service and quiet atmosphere. FAVOURITE ACTIVITY I loved trekking up to Tiger’s Nest, a Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, and just sitting on top of a hill and writing. It has all the ingredients to create something pure. SHOP TILL YOU DROP I loved Paro’s weekly markets. It has simple stuff, with great pride for its
organic local produce. I generally
buy a lot cheese. TRAVEL ESSENTIALS One must always carry warm clothes. The evenings can be chilly, even in summer. It’s also important to carry your own prescription medications, as a lot of these things are not available. LOCAL DISHES I have been in love with Bhutanese cuisine for a long time now—I have always been inspired by the simple, holistic cooking. Their main dish, ema
dashi, which is basically chillies and cheese, is truly the base of simple cooking. I was so inspired by it that when I was hosting a reception for President Obama last year, the first dish was inspired by ema dashi. YOUR NEXT TRAVEL I have a great trip to Sri Lanka planned. I am looking forward to learning about the intricacies of their curries and cuisine. WHY DO YOU TRAVEL? Because it’s essential for me to know myself. It helps me to choose my next project, and contributes to my growth.