хуушуур, or khuushuurs, are as common in Mongolia as burgers are in America. They are deep fried pieces of pastry that contain ground mutton or beef inside. Depending on what you get, they may also contain onions, carrots, and cabbage. They make for an excellent quick lunch or snack.
Цуйван, or tsuivan, is a dish found everywhere in Mongolia. It is a hearty plate of stir-fried noodles that often contains mutton or beef in addition to carrots, onions, and maybe other vegetables. It’s a particularly satisfying meal when I am hungry and craving lots of food.
Xopxoг, or khorkhog, might be the ultimate Mongolian party food. It consists of large chunks of meat, usually mutton, cooked with potatoes and carrots in containers with really hot rocks (more on that later). I’ve eaten myself into a food coma on more than a few occasions.
Mongolia also has lots to offer for those of you who have a sweet tooth. Ааруул, or aaruul, is a unique kind of Mongolian milk curds. They come in many varieties. They can be sweet, sour, or a combination of both. They can be very soft or very dry and hard. They can be plain milk curds, or they can be covered in some sugar or even made with fruity flavors. They can also be made into many different shapes and sizes.
Mongolia’s dairy products also include some amazing cold treats for the hot summer. Every Mongolian kid grew up eating the бамбар, or bambar, which is a popsicle made from milk. It has that distinctly Mongolian combination of sourness and sweetness.
