Zoedoe Ezay — Chilli Paste with Fermented Yak Cheese
Zoedoe is one of the most distinctive and ancient of all Bhutanese chilli pastes. Its defining ingredient is zoe — fermented yak cheese — which lends the paste a pungent, deeply savoury, almost meaty depth that no plain chilli paste can match. Made by Tshejor’s Ayzey in Thimphu, this is the high-altitude ezay of the eastern and central Bhutanese mountains, where yak herders and highland farmers have been combining fermented dairy with chillies for centuries.
The paste is a deep brick-red with a soft, almost chunky texture from the fermented cheese. The aroma is bold: chilli heat up front, followed by the sharp, salty tang of fermented yak cheese, and finishing with the warm, earthy note of traditional Himalayan spices. The flavour is intense, savoury, and deeply comforting — a true winter paste, designed to add richness and protein to a plate of rice, potatoes, or flatbread.
How to enjoy Zoedoe Ezay in Bangkok:
- The Traditional Bhutanese Way: Stir a generous teaspoon into a bowl of steamed Bhutanese Red Rice. The fermented cheese adds a savoury richness that turns a plain bowl of rice into a meal.
- With Potatoes: Toss roasted or boiled baby potatoes with a teaspoon of Zoedoe Ezay while they are still warm. The cheese melts into the potatoes and creates an instant Bhutanese side dish.
- On Toast: Spread on toasted sourdough or Tibetan flatbread. Top with sliced tomato and a fried egg for a Himalayan breakfast.
- With Grilled Vegetables: Dollop onto grilled eggplant, peppers, or mushrooms. The fermented cheese adds a meaty umami depth that vegetarians will appreciate.
- As a Pasta Sauce Base: Stir a teaspoon into a simple tomato pasta sauce for an instant Bhutanese-Italian fusion with deep umami character.
Made by Tshejor’s Ayzey (Since 2000), a women-led enterprise in Thimphu recognised with the Woman Entrepreneur Award 2013, the Best Loden Entrepreneur Award 2015, the National Trademark Award 2018, and the International Business Excellence Award 2021. Every jar supports local women and students’ school fees through the Loden Foundation.
Net Weight: 200g
