Mongolian traditional food is an important part of Mongolian traditional hospitality. Mongolian nomadic families are very friendly and when you visit their yurts, each household sets out a special table with a bowl of tea containing homemade cheese, Mongolian cookies (boorzog), candies, and fattest animals are slaughtered to be eaten.
Mongolian food categories are divided into two types. “White foods and Red foods”.
White foods (Tsagaan idee) are normally all nomadic made milk products. White foods include Urum (a thick layer of cream), Mongolian butter, Aaruul (dry curds), Mongolian yogurts, etc.
Red foods (Ulaan idee) all rest of the Mongolian meals that contain meat. Nomads of Mongolia sustain their lives directly from the products that took and produced from domesticated animals such as Cattle, Horses, Camels, Yaks, Sheep, and Goats. People can cook soups, dumplings ( buuz, huushuur bansh), and dried meats( borts). Usually, people eat White food in summer and Red food in winter.
Lis of Mongolian popular meals that recommended for foreign visitors:
Buuz ( A variation of dumpling)
These meat-stuffed steamed dumplings, which are similar to Chinese dumplings and eaten year-round, and Buuz is an essential meal during Tsagaan Sar which is the Mongolian Lunar New Year. Ingredients of Buuz: Flour, filled with shredded beef, cooked with onion, garlic, peppers. It can be made with vegetables inside instead of meat as well.
Khorkhog ( the Mongolian Barbeque)
Probably the most unique and Mongolian way of cooking meat. Khorkhog is a smoky flavor of meat the meat complements the bland taste of the vegetables. This barbeque dish is made with lamb or goat meat. Khorkhog is made by putting meat with hot stones mixed inside a container and cooked on the open fire. Recommended to have it with some vegetables. Normally, Mongolians cook this meal during the festival or when they go for a picnic.
Tsuivan ( A noodle Stew)
Tsuivan is a Mongolian noodle dish. This food’s recipe includes noodles, meats, and vegetables. Mongolians cook Tsuivan at least 3-4 times a week. This is one of the most favorite and basic meals that you can try when you visit any family. Receipies: Onion; Red peppers, Green peppers, cabbages, carrots, and potatoes.
Guriltai shul ( The Mongolian Noodle Soup)
Guriltai shul includes mutton, soup, noodles, and veggies. Noodle soup with mutton is one of the must-have meals while you are traveling in a Mongolian brutal environment.
Budaatai huurga ( The Mongolian rice meal)
This food is just another most delicious meal. Mongolian people prepare to eat Budaatai Khurga for lunch or dinner.
Chanasan Mah ( The boiled Meat )
Chanasan Mah is a very essential meal during the winter. Specially nomads eat this boiled meat almost everyday (sheep, beef, goat) with spicy souses and ketchup.
Huushuur ( Fried meat pie)
Huushuur has 2 types. Full moon and half-moon. Khuushuur is Mongolian fast food that you can find in any restaurant. It is becoming one of the main meals during the Naadam festival.
Boodog
Boodog is similar to Khorkhog. However, Boodog is marmot meat. Mongolian guys mainly cook it during their hunting.
In Mongolia beef is become a major part of the Mongolian diet, however people still less consumed than mutton and goat meat. Mongolians usually eat a single-fill meal every day. During the day, they drink milk tea, sometimes mixed with rice, the meat inside.