Authentic Ema Datshi Recipe With Chillies And Cheese

By Akshara

September 16, 2025

Ema Datshi is Bhutan’s beloved national dish, prepared with green chillies and cheese, simmered into a rich stew. It is comforting, spicy, and pairs wonderfully with rice.

Ingredients

8–10 green chillies (slit lengthwise) 1 large onion (sliced) 3–4 cloves garlic (chopped) 1 tomato (chopped) 1 cup processed cheese or feta cheese 2 tbsp butter 1 cup water Salt to taste

Step 1

Heat butter in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.

Step 2

Add chillies and tomato, then pour in water and cook for 5–7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in cheese and allow it to melt into the stew.

Step 4

Mix well until creamy and adjust salt to taste. Serve with rice.