Signature Mongolian Foods 1

Buuz – A variation of dumpling

What is it: Flour dough, filled with shredded beef or lamb, cooked with onion, garlic and pepper, and then steamed.
What does it taste like: Quite similar to dumplings, however, more intense and a bit spicier.

Khorkhog – The Mongolian Barbeque

What is it: Lamb cooked inside a pot over an open fire with carrots, onions, and potatoes. The specialty of this dish is that during cooking, smooth stones are placed in the container to foster the cooking process.
What does it taste like: The smoky flavor of the meat complements the bland taste of the vegetables.

Mongolian cuisine is much influenced by the continental climate that dominates the region, and also a bit by the Russian and Chinese cultures. Meat and dairy form the staple diet of this nomadic cuisine, with the use of vegetables being limited. The meat of horse, yak, beef, lamb and even camel is consumed as delicacies.