The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Mongolian Food
Mongolia is quite a unique country and its cuisine reflects that fact. The Mongolian diet is heavily based on meat, particularly beef and lamb. Due to the vast herds of livestock in the region, it is readily available. In contrast, the country consumes relatively little fruit, due to its harsh climate with bitterly cold winters. The five countries with the most similar food were all once part of the Soviet Union.
- Kazakhstan and Mongolia come from a nomadic, pastoral background where livestock plays a central role. The legacy of the Mongol Empire and ongoing cultural exchanges over centuries. They traditionally consume various types of meat, including mutton, beef, and horse meat. In addition, both cuisines make extensive use of dairy products.
- Kyrgyzstan, another landlocked country in Central Asia, shares many of the same culinary practices. Both nations rely heavily on dairy products and meat due to their nomadic heritage. In Kyrgyz cuisine, Beshbarmak, which consists of boiled lamb or beef served on a bed of noodles, resembles Mongolian Tsuivan. Additionally, fermented dairy products are staples in both Mongolian and Kyrgyz diets.
- Uzbekistan borders Kyrgyzstan. It is another country that shares many historical ties with Mongolia. Like Mongolia, Uzbek cuisine heavily features meat, particularly lamb and beef. Moreover, both cuisines embrace savory pastry dishes, such as Uzbek samsa and Mongolian khuushuur, which are filled with meat and fried until golden brown. Furthermore, steamed dumplings filled with minced meat are eaten in both nations.
- Russia is to the north of Mongolia. The country was essentially a satellite state of the Soviet Union for decades, so it is no surprise their food is similar. Both cuisines favor hearty and filling dishes. Soups, such as borscht and solyanka, are common in both countries. Furthermore, Russians and Mongolians tend to consume a lot of fermented dairy products as well.
- Tajikistan is yet another landlocked Central Asian country on this list. Steamed dumplings filled with meat are popular in both nations. The Tajik food Manti is quite similar to Mongolian buuz. In addition, grilled meat skewers in Tajikistan are much like some Mongolian grilled preparations.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Mongolia
The Least Similar Cuisines to Mongolian Food
The countries with the least similar food to Mongolia are all located in tropical regions, so their climates are much hotter and wetter. They are also more densely forested. Their diets rely far less on the consumption of wheat, meat, and potatoes. Instead, ingredients like rice, cassava, and tropical fruits make up a large part of their cuisine.
- Micronesia is another archipelago that borders the Pacific Ocean on this list. The country’s diet generally consists of a lot of seafood, tropical fruits, and coconuts, in contrast to Mongolia. Its traditional dishes often involve grilling or steaming fish, taro, breadfruit, or yams.
- Democratic Republic of Congo is a former Belgian colony located in the middle of Africa. Cassava is the dominant staple food in the country. The most commonly eaten meat in Congo is freshwater fish, whereas beef and lamb are more popular proteins in Mongolia. Furthermore, their diet has relatively little meat or dairy in it.
- Central African Republic is a former French colony that is located in the middle of Africa. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Furthermore, meat is eaten significantly less often in Central African Republic, compared to Mongolia.
- Solomon Islands is a Melanesian archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, so its geography is far different than landlocked Mongolia. As a result, the country’s diet generally consists of a lot of seafood, tropical fruits, and coconuts. Raw fish and taro leaves are commonly consumed there.
- Burundi, like Central African Republic, is a French-speaking landlocked country in Africa. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas. In contrast, people in Mongolia eat more apples and mandarins.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Mongolia
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Mongolia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Lamb, Beef
Fruit: Apple, Mandarin
Vegetable: Carrot, Cabbage
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
Here is the abridged top:
1. Kyrgyzstan, another landlocked
country in Central Asia, shares
many of the same culinary
practices. Both nations rely heavily
on dairy products and meat due to
their nomadic heritage. In Kyrgyz
cuisine, Beshbarmak, which
consists of boiled lamb or beef
served on a bed of noodles,
resembles Mongolian Tsuivan.
Additionally, fermented dairy
products are staples in both
Mongolian and Kyrgyz diets.
2. New Zealand’s cuisine shares
many similar ingredients with
Mongolia, despite their vast
difference in geography. Both
countries have strong sheep
farming traditions, so roast lamb,
lamb chops, and lamb stews are
commonly enjoyed in both
cultures. Moreover, hangi, a
traditional Mãori method of
cooking food in an earth oven,
parallels Mongolia’s Khorkhog,
where meat and vegetables are
cooked using heated stones.
Furthermore, both nations love
dairy products, such as yogurt and
cheese.
3. Uzbekistan borders Kyrgyzstan. It
is another country that shares
many historical ties with Mongolia.
Like Mongolia, Uzbek cuisine
heavily features meat, particularly
lamb and beef. Moreover, both
cuisines embrace savory pastry
dishes, such as Uzbek samsa and
Mongolian khuushuur, which are
filled with meat and fried until
golden brown. Furthermore,
steamed dumplings filled with
minced meat are eaten in both
nations.
4. United Kingdom is another
English-speaking country on this
list. Traditional British dishes like
roast beef, shepherd’s pie, and
meat pies resemble Mongolian
meat-centric meals. Additionally,
both cuisines incorporate root
vegetables such as potatoes,
carrots, and onions in various
dishes. The British Sunday roast
and Mongolia’s hearty stews share
a common emphasis on slow-
cooked meats and accompanying
vegetables. Furthermore, both
countries also have a particular
fondness for dairy products.
5. Russia is to the north of Mongolia.
The country was essentially a
satellite state of the Soviet Union
for decades, so it is no surprise
their food is similar. Both cuisines
favor hearty and filling dishes.
Soups, such as borscht and
solyanka, are common in both
countries. Furthermore, Russians
and Mongolians tend to consumea
lot of fermented dairy products as
well.
Nice👍🏻
The Mongol Empire, the world’s most Strongest, conquered the world, including Europe. The Mongol Empire colonized Eastern Europe and Russia for 240 years (Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus’). During this period, the Mongol Empire ruled Russia as a colony for 204 years and forcibly divided the Kievan Rus into Russia and Ukraine. To maintain control, Mongol soldiers were stationed in Kyiv, the center of Kievan Rus. The Mongol Empire also forcibly moved the capital of Russia from Kyiv to Moscow, which remains the capital of Russia to this day. Consequently, the Mongol Empire’s colonization of Russia left a significant influence on Russian military, history, and culture, with many remnants of Mongol rule still evident.
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