Best Mongolia Foods You Must Have in the Trip

Mongolia foods staple consists of milk and meat, and they are not very fond of vegetables. Although, nomadic Mongolians do use seasoning or spices in their cooking but prefer their tea with some salt. They love their dumplings steamed, not fried, and use a wok for stir-frying their dishes. Mongolian gastronomy is quite enticing. Here people prefer to use local ingredients.

★ Mongolian Staples and Drinks

In Mongolia, as mentioned earlier, people eat mostly meat and milk collected from their livestock. Other important Mongolia foods staples include rice, bread, potatoes, and flour – while vegetables are mostly avoided. Steamed dumplings or buuz are very popular among the locals. Another local favorite, khuushuur or fried mutton pancakes are common delicacies found in the dinner table.

A popular countryside dinner staple is makh. Here the entire sheep is boiled with sliced potato and carrots meat and served with bortzig (bread). Another local favorite is the khorkhog – where the meat is cooked in an open fire inside a sealed urn. Usually, a dash of vodka is sprinkled on the meat to make it tender and soft. Milk and dairy products are essential Mongolia foods and included in almost every meal.

Mongols love their teas (Süütei Tsai) with a dash of salt, which gives it a unique taste. Although the taste varies from region to region, in Bayan-Ölgii the texture of the tea is completely different due to the usage of butter. Black tea or Khar tsai is often served with optional sugar. Apart from tea, Mongolians love their Vodka (arkhi) – and can easily drink the traveler under the table if challenged. Here beer is also available.

In the countryside, airag - fermented mare’s milk – is often found in almost every ger. Although, it comes with less than 5% of alcohol – beware as it can be heavy on the gut.

★ Special Dishes during Celebrations

One of the biggest festivals for the Mongolian population is Tsagaan Sar or the Lunar New Year. The celebration calls for a special feast consisting of special Mongolia foods and drinks. Steamed dumplings are a must for the New Year’s feast, and are made in huge batches to satiate the hunger of the guests at home. Specially prepared meat with the star of the meal.  Ul boov (cookies) are used as a decorative piece, and a huge stack of the biscuits is a centerpiece in the festive decorations.

During Naadam, another important festival of the country, meat-stuffed pancakes or khuushuur is served.

★ Eating out in Mongolia  

Surprisingly the capital city is filled with contemporary restaurants. You can find a wide range of restaurants in Ulaanbaatar where you can eat international cuisines. Guests rarely require booking in advance.

In the city, small diners and cafes are operational where guests can eat local and international cuisines. Whereas in the outskirts, food might be available only in the Ger camps or small hotels. These eateries serve Mongolian cuisines, suitable for the western palate.

★ Eating Etiquettes

Eating is a causal affair for the Mongolians, but few customs and traditions are surrounding the dinner table. In the countryside, cutlery is rarely used and people prefer eating out of their hands. Make sure to clean the plate, as Mongolians consider the leftovers as wasteful.

Although not customary, guests bringing in gifts or drinks for dinner invitation is appreciated by the host. If you are invited by the locals for dinner, then try to bring in some drinks, bread, rice, or fruit for the host.

Remember, if you are offered a drink in Mongolian household, then before sipping in the drink dip your left ring finger into it and flick it four times. It is done to honor the sky god and the four-cardinal direction. Try to follow the lead of the host and you will be fine.

Mongolia foods represent the nomadic culture of the locals and show how these people survived the rugged landscape of the country. Do try these interesting dishes, and explore something offbeat in the heart of Asia.

You May Like:

Mongolian Traditions to Know for a Rewarded Travelling Experience