Hi, I’m Cindy Szabo and welcome to another delicious episode of A Taste from the Melting Pot. Today, we’re in Edison New Jersey where we will be exploring the fascinating culture of Mongolia. We’ll also be learning the essential techniques in creating amazing Mongolian delicacies but before we dig in, let’s take a look at what life is like in this Northeast Asian Country.

A vast land with harsh weather and a small population of just over 2,600,000. Mongolia rest between Russia and China in east central Asia. Mongolia is a country of great history; Mongolian tribes were in the area in the 10th century, a variety of nomadic empires rule them through 1921 when Mongolia established independence. The country has struggled with democracy and established its current constitution in 1992. A majority of the population lives outside urban areas and work in subsistence performing herding and raising livestock. Mongolia has four distinct seasons but there’s an extremely long cold winter. To sustain them through the difficult weather, Mongolians generally prefer meals consisting of boiled mutton with lots of fat and flour along with dairy products or rice.

Tibetan, Buddhism and Nomadism strongly influence them music of Mongolia. The natives dance to Zahm to keep away evil spirits and western pop and rock genres are also favorites along with classic folk songs and dances including the dance called Zahm, a mixture of dance, ritual ceremony and folk tales.