Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

1. Boiling Hotpot (Khorkhog)

Cook mutton, potatoes, and vegetables in a large pot filled with hot stones. A hearty dish for cold Ulaanbaatar nights.

Community Experience: Preparing the Khorkhog is a group activity, bringing people together.
Traditional Cooking Method: Uses hot stones instead of fire to cook food slowly.
Versatility: Various ingredients can be added according to personal preference.

Grill marinated skewers of meat and vegetables on a circular metal griddle. A modern twist on traditional Mongolian cuisine.

Quick Service: Cook each item quickly, allowing for fast service.
Customization: Choose from various meats and vegetables to create your personalized meal.
Dining Entertainment: Watch the cooks skillfully flip the skewers on the griddle.

Steamed or fried dumplings filled with minced meat and onions. A popular snack in Ulaanbaatar.

Portable Food: Easy to carry around as a quick snack.
Affordable Price: A budget-friendly option for travelers.
Variety of Fillings: Available with different fillings such as mutton, beef, and vegetables.

Traditional foods like Buuz, Khorkhog, and Airag (fermented horse milk) served during the Naadam festival.

Cultural Immersion: Experience Mongolian culture by trying food at the festival.
Seasonal Availability: Some items like Airag are only available during summer months.
Popular Event Food: Food stalls offering these dishes pop up during the Naadam festival.

Fermented horse milk with a sour and slightly fizzy taste. Typically served during the summer months.

Acquired Taste: An unusual, anise-like flavor that may take some getting used to.
Health Benefits: Rich in probiotics and believed to have various health benefits.
Social Significance: Shared during important social events like weddings and Naadam festivals.

Deep-fried dumplings filled with minced meat and onions. A popular street food in Ulaanbaatar.

Thin and crispy pancake rolled around various fillings like vegetables, mutton, or cheese.

Thin noodles stir-fried with vegetables, mushrooms, and meat in a soy sauce-based sauce.

Quick Meal: Prepared quickly for a quick lunch or dinner.
Customization: Various toppings and noodle types can be added to suit preference.
Availability: Widely available in Ulaanbaatar restaurants and food stalls.

Steamed or fried dumplings served with a tangy onion sauce. A popular street food in Ulaanbaatar.

A hearty soup made with tender mutton and vegetables. Perfect for the cold Ulaanbaatar winters.

Warming Dish: Ideal for warming up during cold weather.
Health Benefits: Nourishing and filling, providing energy for the day.
Availability: Available in restaurants and food stalls throughout Ulaanbaatar.

Strong black tea mixed with milk and salt. A popular beverage in Mongolia.

Flatbread made from wheat dough, baked in a traditional Mongolian oven. Served with various fillings.

Versatility: Can be filled with different ingredients like mutton, vegetables, or cheese.
Traditional Food: Part of Mongolian cuisine and culture.
Availability: Available in restaurants and food stalls throughout Ulaanbaatar.

Pasta wrapped in sheep's intestines and cooked over hot coals. A traditional Mongolian dish.

Traditional Cooking Method: Cooked using a unique method involving sheep's intestines.
Hearty Meal: A filling and hearty meal for cold winter nights.
Availability: Available in restaurants specializing in Mongolian cuisine.

Stir-fried noodles and cabbage with mutton and potatoes. A hearty dish commonly served in Mongolia.

Hearty Meal: Ideal for warming up during cold weather.
Cultural Significance: Reflects Mongolian cuisine and culture.
Availability: Available in restaurants and food stalls throughout Ulaanbaatar.

Traditional Mongolian pizza with unique toppings like mutton and vegetables. Served in a yurt-shaped oven.

Cultural Experience: Experience dining in a yurt, a traditional Mongolian dwelling.
Unique Toppings: Offers toppings not commonly found on regular pizzas.
Dining Entertainment: Watch the cook prepare your pizza in a yurt-shaped oven.