November 2024

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Roshan, and I am the proprietor of a restaurant named Chicken Dinner, inspired by the popular game PUBG. The name came to life during the lockdown, as months of staying indoors and playing the game sparked the idea. In addition to the restaurant, we’ve established a hotel named Lock & Key Inn, located in Khuruthang, Punakha. Conveniently situated by the roadside, just 900 meters from Khuruthang town, our hotel is on the route leading to the famous Punakha Dzong. So, how did it all start? Let me share a bit about myself. I originally hail from the southern part of Bhutan, near the Indian border. For personal reasons, which I’ll share with you someday, I found myself in west-central Bhutan, in Punakha—a place I found stunningly scenic. It sparked my imagination, leading me to envision and establish this space. This blog is my way of connecting with you—our guests, friends, and community. Here, I plan to share not only my story but also insights into Punakha, including its local attractions, travel tips, trip itineraries, the vibrant nightlife, cultural events, and much more. My goal is to provide as much knowledge as I can about this beautiful place, starting with how everything began. For those unfamiliar with Punakha, it’s a district (or Dzongkhag) in Bhutan with a rich history. Punakha served as Bhutan’s capital and the seat of government until 1955, before the capital moved to Thimphu. Located about 72 kilometers from Thimphu, the journey takes roughly three to four hours. Punakha is divided into 11 administrative blocks, known as Gewogs, and offers countless scenic and cultural spots to explore. I’ll delve deeper into these in future posts. When I first arrived in Punakha, my original plan was to expand our restaurant business—we already owned one in Phuentsholing, in southern Bhutan. But post-COVID, when I saw the beauty of Punakha and came across this location, I envisioned something more. The space was empty—dull, locked up, and uninspiring. Yet, I could imagine its potential. We started from scratch. I still remember those early days—sitting in the bare kitchen with no equipment, just a few items to prepare food. My two sons, my wife, and I would sit on makeshift seats—two blocks of bricks with a wooden plank on top—sharing dinner together, dreaming of what could be. Fast forward three years, and our journey has been nothing short of transformative. We’re now blessed with a two-year-old daughter and have come a long way from those humble beginnings. By the grace of God and through sheer hard work, we’ve built something we’re proud of. However, there’s still so much more to achieve as we strive to stand out in a competitive market. This blog is just the beginning of my story. I’ve never written a blog before, but I’m eager to learn and improve as I go. In future posts, I’ll share more about Punakha’s beauty, local attractions, and the journey of running this establishment. I’ll also include pictures and videos to give you a better sense of what this special place has to offer. For now, I plan to post twice a month, but as things evolve, I’ll aim to deliver even more. I hope you enjoy what I share. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.