There’s little doubt that Mongolian cuisine is unique even among its Asian counterparts.
There’s little doubt that Mongolian cuisine is unique even among its Asian counterparts. It uses many familiar ingredients commonly found throughout the Asian continent but combines them in intriguing ways. Here are six more examples of Mongolian cuisine to get your mouth watering.
Uuz
Do you love New Year’s Eve? Do you have certain traditions surrounding it? Well then, you can take this opportunity to update some of your rituals. Uuz is a New Year’s Eve specialty that goes back to ancient times. It is made of the lower fatty back and the tail of either mutton or sheep. It’s then cooked in a steam chamber for anywhere between three to five hours. It’s very popular but only served on special occasions. However, the wait is worth it, since this dish is both succulent and savory.
Chanasan Makh
What do you like to have for breakfast? Pastries and cereal? Or bacon and eggs? Shake up your morning routine by leaning into Mongolian cuisine instead! Chanasan makh is a meaty dish made up of mutton chunks boiled in salted water. It’s a common breakfast item and can be made spicy with the addition of ketchup or pepper.
Airag
With all of the food on offer, you’re going to need something to wash it down! Airag is the Mongolian national drink. Mare’s milk is fermented and then served as a mildly alcoholic beverage. Although it has a bit of a sour kick, it’s actually quite good for you. After all, it is packed with vitamins and minerals.
Gambir
Now we turn our attention to varieties of dessert. First up is gambir. Flour dough is filled up with butter and sugar and then cooked like a pancake and served with either jelly or jam; think of it as a Mongolian take on a crepe. You can choose how much jelly and jam you have, but it’s also delicious when paired with chocolate or fruits, which are common toppings.
Boortsog
These are Mongolian cookies. A type of finger food, they are often served with either butter or honey. They’re crunchy and crusty and a huge hit amongst children and adults alike!
Ul Boov
This is, quite simply, “shoe sole cake”. It’s a specialty of Mongolian cuisine as well. They’re usually filled with cream or sugar and are flattened so that they look like the sole of a shoe, hence their name. When you bite into one, you’ll be delighted by how soft it is. Plus, you’ll find the cream-filled center.
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