Food tells a story about a place. It tells us something about the climate, its people, and its history. When I arrived in Mongolia, I quickly realized that learning about the country meant learning about its food. Mongolian cuisine is shaped by the harsh steppe environment and a nomadic way of life that has existed for thousands of years.
In Mongolia, food is more than just something to eat. It is a reflection of survival, tradition, and community. Most dishes are simple, made with just a few ingredients like meat, flour, salt and dairy. But the simplicity comes from necessity. Almost every meal includes mutton, beef or dairy because livestock is the main source of food in this environment.
During my time in Mongolia, I have tried many traditional dishes, some of which I never imagined eating before, like horse meat and fermented mare’s milk. My host family welcomed me into their home and their kitchen. Through sharing meals with them, I learned not only about Mongolian food but also about the values and customs that make this culture unique.
This article explores the dishes I tried, how they are prepared, how I felt trying them and how Mongolian cuisine connects deeply to the local environment. By the end, I hope you will understand how food in Mongolia is a window into a way of life that is both challenging and beautiful.
