In the past few days, Tokyo seems to have cooled down dramatically. When the weather continues to be this cold, you want to eat something spicy to warm up your stomach.

By the way, do you know where the "world's hottest food" is from? Countries that use a lot of spices, such as India and Ethiopia, are often mentioned, but in fact, there is a rumor that "Bhutanese cuisine" is the hottest in the world or not.

We have shed sweat and tears trying many spicy foods, but there is no way we will not try the dish that is rumored to be the hottest in the world! So, on behalf of all spicy food lovers, I went to eat "Bhutanese cuisine" right away!


What kind of country is Bhutan?

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a country located in South Asia. Its land area is approximately 38,394 square kilometers, about the same size as Kyushu. The population is approximately 720,000, and the official language is Dzongkha (source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs).


In addition, according to Wikipedia information, Bhutan has a climate similar to that of Japan, and agriculture is thriving. Rice is the staple food, and chili peppers are a regular st aple. So, the reason why Bhutan is rumored to have the world's hottest chili pepper is because of chili peppers. This sounds promising!

Arrive at Bhutanese restaurant "Gathe Motabung

The restaurant where Bhutanese cuisine is served in Tokyo is Gathe Motabung, located in Yoyogi Uehara. It is a 5-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station, up a hill.


The red walls and blue roof, with colorful Bhutanese decorations welcoming you.


Once inside, you will find many exotic Bhutanese goods, including a photo of what appears to be the King of Bhutan, books about Bhutan, and wall decorations! All tables and chairs are wooden. There are a total of five tables, which can accommodate about 13 people.


The background music is Bhutanese radio (?). is playing. I have no idea what it is about, but it is full of Bhutanese atmosphere.

... And already, a spicy aroma coming from the kitchen...! Damn, it's so appetizing! Chili peppers? Or is it pak choi?

Ordering a typical Bhutanese dish

From the lunch menu, I ordered "Pakshapa Lunch," which is a typical Bhutanese dish, and steamed dumplings called "momos.


Before the meal, the waitress offered us cold tea, not water. It was delicious, with a bittersweet and sweet flavor, like beet tea.

Trying Bhutanese food

About 10 minutes after ordering, the "Paksha Palanchi" and "Momo" appeared! Everything from the plate to the chopsticks and spoons is made of wood. So cute! It tickles a girl's fancy!


Rice, salad, and soup surround the main Bhutanese dish, Pakshapa.

Pakshapa" is a dish of braised pork belly, radish, and chili peppers. As it is one of the representative dishes of Bhutan, expectations were high.


... Let's see, there's a giant chili pepper there with an unsuspecting look on its face. Usually, chili peppers are chopped up into smaller pieces, but this one is so much bolder than that! The red chili peppers, which have plenty of presence, are combined with softly sauteed and stewed onions, radish, and pork belly. Spicy! I knew it was coming, but this is extremely spicy!


By the way, they say you can refill your rice freely. Certainly, with such a spicy dish, you may need at least two bowls of rice....

The mild-tasting vegetable soup and fresh raw vegetable salad neutralize the palate. But it is spicy nonetheless! I feel the real spirit of Bhutan. The temperature outside is 15 degrees Celsius, but the author is sweating. But since I am here representing the Japanese who love spicy food, I cannot lose. Besides, what's more, although it 's extremely spicy, it tastes so good that it 's addictive!

My mouth is on fire, but I can't stop here! Next, we try the "peach".


Momo" is a Bhutanese-style steamed dumpling. The shape is similar to the gyoza eaten in Japan, but the skin is thicker and chewier. When you bite into it, the juicy meat juices will overflow. The "momo" itself is not spicy. The Bhutanese style is to eat it with "chili paste" on the side. This paste is quite spicy, so be careful.

Incidentally, the spiciness of the dishes at Gathe Motabung is said to be reduced to suit the Japanese palate. I wonder how much spicy food people in the real Bhutan eat... It is unimaginable.

Lunch is full by 1:00 p.m.; open for dinner as well.

The author visited at 12:00 p.m., when lunch time begins. At that point, I was the first one to arrive, but customers started arriving one after another, and by 1:00 p.m. the restaurant was full. For those who want to go for lunch, it is recommended to arrive at the restaurant around 12:00 when lunch time starts.

Gathe Motabung is also open for dinner, so you may visit at night to enjoy Bhutanese dishes different from those on the lunch menu.

Incidentally, the name of the restaurant, "Gatemo Tabung," was coined from two words: "gatemo" = "where" in the Bhutanese language and "tabung" = "perhaps" in Japanese. It is a fantastic and cute name that makes you want to drop by. If you have a hankering for something spicy in the cold winter, be sure to stop by Gathemo Tabung and try the super hot and spicy Bhutanese cuisine!