Ugyen Choki’s Journey as “The Druk Girl”
Ugyen Choki, a dynamic individual hailing from Kanglung, Tashigang, has been making waves in the digital world with her popular YouTube and Facebook channel, “The Druk Girl.” Despite her background in Civil Engineering, Ugyen has found her true passion in food vlogging, where she shares her traditional Bhutanese recipes with a global audience.
Currently serving as a Team Lead in a staffing company based in Noida, India, Ugyen’s journey into the world of food vlogging began as a hobby rooted in her love for cooking and her desire to preserve and promote Bhutanese cuisine. Armed with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, Ugyen’s transition from engineering to content creation reflects her willingness to follow her heart and pursue her passions.
“Even though food vlogging wasn’t mainstream when i started, even back then, the passion for it was there but content creation was a challenge for me,” Ugyen said. However, the global pandemic, with its increased time spent at home, proved to be a turning point for Ugyen, serving as the catalyst for her to dive headfirst into consistent vlogging.
During the lockdown, Ugyen seized the opportunity to dedicate more time and energy to her passion for food vlogging. Drawing inspiration from her Bhutanese roots, she began sharing her traditional recipes for curry on her YouTube and Facebook channels, captivating audiences with her culinary skills and warm personality.
Positive feedback from viewers further fueled Ugyen’s determination to continue creating content, inspiring her to persevere even when faced with challenges. “I took up the current food channel after my friend moved on to pursue other goals during the pandemic,” revealed Ugyen, highlighting her commitment to her craft and her willingness to adapt and evolve in pursuit of her dreams.
As “The Druk Girl,” Ugyen has garnered a loyal following of food enthusiasts eager to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Bhutanese cuisine. Her authentic recipes, coupled with her engaging storytelling style, have earned her a reputation as a rising star in the world of food vlogging.
As she continues to share her passion for cooking with the world, Ugyen Choki serves as an inspiration to aspiring content creators everywhere, proving that with dedication, perseverance, and a dash of creativity, dreams can indeed become a reality.
The lack of Bhutanese food vloggers at the time fueled their initial desire, and Ugyen is thrilled to be part of the growing community today. Her vlog is all about making delicious, affordable, approachable, and simple curry recipes. Since many of the viewers are new to cooking, she makes sure the ingredients are easily accessible and the recipes are easy to follow.
Every journey is not without its challenges Ugyen shared her share of challenges and struggles with us. One major challenge I face is being consistent. Balancing vlogging with your personal life and other commitments can be difficult. Finding time to film, edit, and manage your channel requires dedication and organization. Another challenge would be the occasional hate comments. While criticism helps you
refine your recipe, negative comments or comparisons can feel like burnt toast. The key ingredient here is a positive attitude and keeping your goals in mind. What counts is that you’re making something tasty.
“It’s not always a picture-perfect scene in the kitchen. Incidents such as burns, spills, and ingredient substitutions can add a dash of chaos while recording. But remember, these instances could turn into hilarious bloopers or opportunities for creative problem-solving, like a sprinkle of editing magic! “While I wouldn’t call myself a culinary master, growing up watching my mom (and others) work their magic in the kitchen has taught me a lot,” Ugyen said. The magic duo of garlic and ginger is her personal secret weapon in the kitchen. Their combined aroma and flavor profile instantly elevate any dish, adding depth
and complexity. While she can sometimes skip onions or tomatoes, these two are irreplaceable.
“Life’s full of amazing moments, and many of mine are tied to food. Every recipe I share carries a special memory, like the simple rajma evokes the warmth of my mother’s kitchen, while the smoky aroma of egg and potato curry transports me back to lazy weekend mornings. Childhood was pure magic, especially when sharing meals with the family. We didn’t know how lucky we were then, but now, scattered across the globe, those memories are even more precious, reminding me of the love and connection shared
over delicious meals,” she shared.
“My followers like the fact that most of my videos are very raw and natural and that’s true forget fancy filters and staged perfection, my vlogs are like your average messy kitchen—real, relatable, and full of character! From mismatched lids to repurposed containers, it’s all part of the charm. I’m proud to be me, and it makes my heart sing when viewers connect with that authenticity. Sure, some might point out ‘flaws,’ but hey, haters going to hate! I choose to focus on the positive feedback and the fact that I can be unapologetically myself in my videos,” Ugyen added.
In a world filled with noise and chaos, Ugyen’s vlog offers a welcome respite—a place where passion, creativity, and community converge around the shared love of curry. Through her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication, she has not only carved out a niche for herself in the vast landscape of online
content but has also left an indelible mark on the hearts and kitchens of her viewers.
By Rinzin Dema
