Recipe of Ema Datshi

Ema datshi !! This recipe is for cheese lover .

Photograph of Ema Datshi

Photograph of Ema Datshi

Ema datshi is one of the most popular dish in Bhutanese cuisine and it is recognised as a national dish of Bhutan. It is simple dish made from hot chili peppers and cheese but trust me it’s delicious, once you try it , you will ask again and again.


Photograph of Ema Datshi

Ema means chili and datshi means cheese in the language of Bhutan. The country has a flair for using unique ingredients  that stimulates all our senses.  Bhutan have undying love affair with chili peppers. From childhood their journey with chilies begins . Every dish in the Bhutanese cuisine invariably has copious amount of chilies. People don’t even touch the dish if it is not spicy enough.


Photograph of Ema Datshi

Ema datsi is a simple stew made of a varieties of chilies different in colour and shape like green , red any yellow and a special cheese made from goat, cow’s or yak’s milk called datshi. There are two varieties of churpi (cheese) , soft and hard variety . The soft cheese is use in the preparation of ema datshi .  The texture of churpi / datshi is similar like cottage cheese and ricotta cheese . Variations of this dish include potatoes, meat , beans , mushrooms , tomatoes . But just chilies and cheese are their favourite .The chilies that are used in the Ema datshi are really spicy and this dish is served over a bed of locally produced red rice , another staple food of Bhutan. 


Today I’m sharing simplest way to make ema datshi which you can devour it with steamed rice . I’m pretty sure you will love it .


Ingredients of recipe Ema Datshi 

Following ingredients for making the Ema Datshi recipe is available in local grocery shop.


7-8 chili peppers ( spicy Thai red, green or jalepano), cut into two parts. 
2 medium size tomatoes, cut into big size  
2 medium size potatoes, thinly sliced 
1 large onion, thinly sliced  1 cup cheddar cheese or ricotta cheese 
2 cups water 
Salt to taste 

Method : 

Heat a pan over medium flame add peppers, sliced onion, potatoes, tomatoes and water , season with salt . 

Cover it and cook . 
Once peppers become tender. 

Turn off the flame and add the cheese, let it melt in the residual heat.


 Stir it properly and serve it with steamed rice .