What Is Mongolia’s Famous Food?

Mongolia is known for its vast and diverse landscape, but it’s also well-known for its unique cuisine. Mongolian food is a mix of traditional nomadic dishes, recipes from the Silk Road, and modern influences from other countries. Popular dishes are hearty and full of flavor, often featuring dairy products or meat as the main ingredient.

Dairy Products

Mongolians love their dairy products, and they use them in many of their traditional dishes. The most popular dairy product is a type of cheese called aruul, made from dried curd that has been salted and pressed into blocks.

It’s often eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in soups and salads. Another common dairy product is airag, which is fermented mare’s milk that has a slightly sour taste. Airag is usually served chilled or frozen with a pinch of salt to balance out the sourness.

Meat Dishes

Meat dishes are also popular in Mongolia, especially those made with beef or mutton. The classic Mongolian dish buuz is made with minced meat that has been seasoned with spices like cumin and garlic before being steamed in dumplings made from flour dough. Another famous dish is khorkhog, which consists of chunks of meat that have been cooked on hot stones inside a metal pot filled with water and vegetables.

Modern Influences

Modern Mongolian cuisine has been influenced by cuisines from neighboring countries like Russia, China, Turkey, and India. This can be seen in dishes like khushur, which are fried dumplings filled with vegetables or meat that have been heavily influenced by Chinese cooking methods; shulen, which are thick curry-like soups influenced by Indian flavors; and plov, a type of rice pilaf dish that originated in Uzbekistan but has become popular in Mongolia as well.

Conclusion

Mongolia has a rich culinary tradition that features hearty dishes full of flavor made from dairy products, meat, vegetables, grains, spices, and modern influences from other cultures around the region. From the classic buuz to airag to khushur to plov, there are plenty of delicious Mongolian dishes to try! So if you’re looking for something new to try on your next culinary adventure, look no further than Mongolia’s famous food!