The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to stay indoors and discover or rediscover long-lost hobbies, such as cooking. The interest in cooking is a certain respite from the coronavirus's grim reality and a great way to focus your energy on something fun (and tasty!).

Even though you can't physically travel, you can still taste the world by preparing world-famous dishes from the safety of your home. Here are the ten most popular Mongolian recipes to help you deal with your wanderlust:

1. The simple, hearty Khuushuur

Pronounced horshure, this typical Mongolian dish is a perfect breakfast idea. It is a meat pastry or dumpling that uses mostly mutton. However, meat-vegetable fusions or even meat-free versions of this dish can be found on tables in every part of Mongolia. The stuffing is placed inside a dough pocket and then fried in oil until golden brown.

2. Tsuivan, fried noodle with meat

Essentially, it's a noodle stew prepared with mutton and various vegetables. The noodles are traditionally made by hand (for some, this is an added challenge), and they're cooked or steamed together with diced meat and vegetables. Use whatever you have at hand - onions, cabbage, peppers, carrots, or potatoes. It is best served freshly prepared and sprinkled with scallions.

3. Bantan

Had a quarantine party? Then this traditional Mongolian soup will be the best hangover cure! It’s prepared with water, chopped spring onions, pieces of meat, and wheat flour. You can garnish it with various herbs and spices, whatever you currently have in your pantry!

4. Khorkhog, the famous tasty barbecue

This authentic Mongolian barbecue is made with bone-in cuts of lamb, mutton, or goat meat, as well as vegetables, such as onions, potatoes, cabbage, and carrots. It is cooked inside a pot containing burning rocks heated in an open fire.

5. Buuz

Probably the most famous Mongolian dish, Buuz are large dumplings filled with chopped meat and onions that are cooked and then steamed.

6. Budaatai khuurga/ Fried Rice

Want to make a fulfilling and simple meal that can be served both at lunch or dinner? This authentic Mongolian rice meal is cooked with shredded beef or lamb, onions, carrots, cabbage, bell pepper, and snow peas. It only takes ten minutes to cook!

7. Orom, highly-calorific delicacy

Orom is a clotted cream made from animals such as goats, yaks, and cows. Each type of milk gives its specific flavor to the dessert. Like yogurt or ice cream, it can be paired with jam and sugar or spread over slices of bread.

8. Gambir, Mongolian pancakes

Don't store leftover flour dough; use it to make this sugary dessert. Fill it with butter and sugar, cook it like a pancake and serve with jam or jelly. Just try not to eat too much!

9. Ul Boov – The shoe sole cake

When in quarantine, every day can be a party day! This sugar or cream-filled pastry is usually made for Mongolian festivities and is stacked into a big tower filled with various sweets.

10. Boortsog, Mongolian cookies

This delicious finger food is a version of the butter cookie, served with even more butter or honey.

These are just some of the famous dishes that come from our beautiful country. Still, we truly believe that our tasty meals are best enjoyed in Mongolia. So, once the borders reopen, don't hesitate to visit us!