Mongolia
What to eat and drink in Mongolia: dishes, etiquette and dietary tips
Try the steamed buuz dumplings, fried khuushuur pasties, and stone‑cooked khorkhog if you like lamb; skip dishes with unknown meat if you need halal. Change your choice if you are vegetarian or vegan.
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GuideMongolia
Key facts
- Typical meal price (restaurant)check
- 15 MNT (≈ $0.005) per dish
- Street food price (buuz, khuushuur)check
- 5–10 MNT
- Safety of street food
- Generally safe when sold hot and from busy stalls
Quick answer
Eat buuz, khuushuur, tsuivan, and khorkhog for a true taste of Mongolian nomadic cuisine. If you need halal, stick to horse‑meat dishes in the west (beshbarmak). Vegetarians can find boortsog with butter or tea‑served dairy, but avoid meat‑heavy countryside meals.
Must‑try dishes
Buuz – steamed lamb or beef dumplings, served at lunch and during Tsagaan Sar.
Khuushuur – deep‑fried meat pasties, popular at Naadam festivals.
Tsuivan – hand‑cut noodles fried with lamb and a few vegetables.
Khorkhog – mutton cooked with hot stones in a sealed container, a special‑occasion meal.
Boodog – goat or marmot cooked inside its skin with hot stones, found in remote camps.
- Buuz (lamb/beef, wheat) – veg: no
- Khuushuur (lamb, wheat) – veg: no
- Tsuivan (lamb, wheat) – veg: ask
- Khorkhog (lamb) – veg: no
- Boodog (goat/marmot) – veg: no
Cost of meals
In Ulaanbaatar cafés, a plate of buuz or khuushuur costs about 5–10 MNT (≈ $0.002–$0.003). Full restaurant meals with soup and noodles run 15–25 MNT (≈ $0.005–$0.008). Street vendors in the steppe charge similar low prices, but expect higher costs in tourist lodges.
| Venue | Typical dish | Price (MNT) |
|---|---|---|
| Street stall | Buuz or khuushuur | 5–10 |
| Café/guanz | Tsuivan | 15 |
| Restaurant | Khorkhog set | 20–25 |
Street food safety
Most street food is cooked fresh and served hot, which reduces bacterial risk. Choose stalls with a line of locals and visible cooking equipment. Avoid pre‑cooked cold salads or meat left out for long periods.
- Buy only from busy stalls where food is hot.
- Watch the meat be cut and cooked on site.
- Skip cold side dishes unless you know they are refrigerated.
Dining etiquette
Take food and drink with the right hand, supporting the elbow with the left.
Accept at least a sip or a bite when offered; you may leave a small amount.
Guests are served first and often get the best cut; show appreciation by eating a little.
Questions people ask
What are the must‑try dishes in Mongolia?
Buuz, khuushuur, tsuivan, khorkhog and boodog showcase the meat‑centric, stone‑cooked tradition; choose halal options like beshbarmak in the west if needed.
How much does a meal cost in Mongolia?
Street‑food dishes cost 5–10 MNT (≈ $0.002–$0.003); café meals are around 15 MNT; restaurant specials like khorkhog run 20–25 MNT.
Is street food safe in Mongolia?
Generally yes when the food is hot and the stall is busy. Avoid cold salads or meat left out for long periods.
Can vegetarians find suitable meals?
In Ulaanbaatar you can get boortsog, dairy tea, and vegetable fried rice; in the countryside meat dominates, so plan ahead.
What should I know about dining etiquette?
Use the right hand, accept a small taste when offered, let guests eat first, and never place bowls on the floor.
Check live
Prices, schedules, rules and availability change. Open these to confirm today's details before you book.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialMongolia tourism board
Ask about Mongolia
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