Thukpa bhatuk is a common Tibetan cuisinenoodle soup that includes small bhastanoodles. This dish is a common soup made in the winter but is especially important for Tibetan New Year. On Nyi-Shu-Gu, the eve of Losar, the common Tibetan soup, Thukpa bhatuk is made with special ingredients to form Guthuk. Guthuk is then eaten on Losar to symbolise getting rid of negativities of the past year and invite positives into the new year.
Soup
In the Thukpa bhatuk soup, the main components are the handmade bhatsa noodles, which are similar to the Italiangnocchi. Some bhatsa noodles used for this soup are called gutsi rithuk and another noodle, called bhatuk. Both of these noodles are referred to as bhatuk in Central Tibet. Meat is usually a main ingredient in this soup, commonly mutton, beef or yak however, this soup can also be made vegetarian with a vegetable bouillon.
Customs
Guthuk
At the time of Tibetan New Year the common soup, Thukpa bhatuk, is transformed into Guthuk. Guthuk is only eaten at this time of the yearon the eve of Losar. This dish is part of the ritual to dispel any negativities of the old year, to make way for a better positive new year. There are three main differences that make thukpa bhatuk into guthuk:
Losar:Tibetan New Year
literally meaning lo and sar is the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated both in Tibet and Nepal. Losar begins on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar and Nepali calendar and is celebrated on a different day each year. On the eve of Losar, which is called Nyi-Shu-Gu, the old year is expelled along with all its negativities. It is custom for homes and bodies to be purified and cleaned to invite positives for the New Year. The New Year is then brought in with specific ceremonial rituals including the specially made Thukpa batuk called Guthuk. This soup is made on Nyi-Shu-Gu and is specific to the celebration of Losar.
Nyi-Shu-Gu
As explained, Nyi-Shu-Gu is the Tibetan New Year's Eve, which is the 29th day of the last month of the year, according to the Tibetan calendar and Nepali calendar. Nyi-Shu-Gu is a day to dismiss negativities from homes and bodies and to make the Guthuk soup. A traditional custom in Central Tibet is to heat water over a fire for everyone to bathe and wash their hair. Normally, people don’t bathe everyday, but everyone takes care to be thoroughly clean in preparation for Losar. Once everything is purified, the Guthuk soup is eaten and the negativities are expelled.
