Zoethey (Fermented Yak cottage cheese)

Artisanal fermented yak cheese from the remote eastern highlands of Merak and Sakteng in Bhutan, home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa people. This traditional “Zoethey” (also called Zoedoe or Zetay) is crafted from milk of yaks grazed on pristine alpine pastures above 3,000 meters elevation.

This is not cheese as you know it. Crafted from the rich, creamy milk of yaks grazing on pristine, wild alpine pastures, this cheese is left to ferment naturally for weeks to months. The result is a soft, spreadable curd with a deeply complex, funky, tangy, and intensely savory flavor. Honestly an unforgettable taste that you will either love or hate.

What does Zoethey taste like?

Imagine a bold, earthy, and almost “stinky” cheese, similar to a very ripe Camembert or a washed-rind cheese, but with a uniquely Himalayan brightness. It’s a delicacy so prized that the Brokpa people have traditionally bartered it for rice and salt, and it’s considered a supreme source of wealth and status.

How to enjoy this extraordinary ingredient in Bangkok:

• The Traditional Bhutanese Way: Serve a spoonful alongside a bowl of Bhutanese Red Rice and a cup of Suja (butter tea) . It’s also a key ingredient in our Zoethey Ezay.
• The Bangkok Fusion: Spread it on warm naan or roti, or melt it into a spicy tom yum for an incredible umami depth. Its creamy, spreadable texture also makes it perfect for dipping fresh vegetables or crackers.
• Modern & Sweet: For a truly unique treat, enjoy it as a dessert with a generous drizzle of honey or palm sugar syrup, paired with fresh or dried fruits.
• In the Kitchen: Crumble it over salads, blend it into creamy dips, or use it to elevate pasta, risotto, or scrambled eggs.

Produced by the Brokpa people using sustainable, ethical yak-rearing practices, this cheese is a taste of a living cultural heritage. Each batch reflects the unique microbial life of the Brokpa’s traditional fermentation environment, offering a flavor that can never be replicated anywhere else in the world.

Net Weight: 150g