At an elevation of 2,300 meters in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, opening a ramen restaurant presented unique culinary challenges, particularly due to the early boiling of water at high altitude. Despite these obstacles, a Bhutanese couple has successfully introduced authentic Japanese ramen to the country with the establishment of Hayate Ramen, now celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The restaurant, founded by Tshering and his Japanese wife, Sayaka Sakurai, has become a popular dining destination, seating 74 customers and serving approximately 150 bowls of ramen daily. Among its regular patrons is Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, highlighting the eatery’s growing prominence.

The couple’s journey began during their six-and-a-half-year stay in Japan, where Tshering developed a strong appreciation for ramen while employed at an automotive factory. Motivated to bring this culinary experience back to Bhutan, Tshering pursued formal training at a ramen school in Japan, focusing on the intricacies of noodle making and broth preparation.

After returning home, the couple faced the challenge of adapting traditional recipes to Bhutan’s high-altitude environment, which affects the boiling point of water and, subsequently, the cooking process. Through years of experimentation, they fine-tuned their methods to replicate authentic flavors despite these geographic constraints.

Hayate Ramen stands as Bhutan’s first dedicated ramen restaurant, reflecting both the couple’s commitment and the growing interest in Japanese cuisine within the country. The establishment’s milestone decade of operation underscores its success in introducing and sustaining a novel culinary tradition in the Himalayan region.