Mongolia

Meat, Milk, and Nomadic Traditions – The Heart of Mongolian Cuisine

Mongolian cuisine is a direct reflection of its nomadic heritage and the challenging conditions of the steppe. The diet is based on meat (especially mutton, goat, and beef) and dairy products (known as ‘white foods’), providing sufficient calories and fats needed for cold winter survival. Due to the nomadic lifestyle, the use of vegetables and spices is very limited.

The most famous and beloved Mongolian dishes include meat dumplings and specialties prepared over a fire using hot stones.

• Buuz (Бууз): Popular steamed meat dumplings filled with minced meat (mutton or beef) and onion. They are a traditional meal served during Lunar New Year celebrations (Tsagaan Sar).
• Khuushuur (Хуушууp): The fried version of the meat dumpling. These are larger, flat, crispy pockets filled with minced meat, popular as street food, especially during the Naadam festival.
• Tsuivan (Цуйван): A hearty noodle stew or stir-fry, prepared with meat and a small amount of vegetables (if available, e.g., onion, carrot) directly in one pot.
• Khorkhog (Xopxoг): The traditional Mongolian barbecue. Pieces of meat (mutton, goat) are cooked in a sealed metal container with hot stones, which heat the dish from the inside. This process results in exceptionally tender meat.
• Boodog (Бoдoг): An extreme version of Khorkhog, where the meat, vegetables, and hot stones are cooked inside the skin of an animal (goat or marmot) which acts as the cooking vessel.

Dairy Products and Beverages

Dairy products are just as crucial as meat, particularly during the summer months.

• Süutei Tsai (Сүүтэй цай): The basic, everyday drink. It is a salty black tea made with milk and a small amount of salt, serving as a source of energy and hydration.
• Airag (Aйрaг) / Kumys: The national drink. A mildly alcoholic beverage made from fermented mare’s milk, which has a slightly sour and effervescent taste.
• Aaruul (Ааруул): Extremely hard, sun-dried cheese curds of various shapes. It is a nutritious, long-lasting snack suitable for the nomadic lifestyle.
• Boortsog (Боорцог): Fried, sweet or unsweetened dough, consumed like a biscuit or bread, often dipped in Süutei Tsai tea.