Mongolian Buffets Let You Play Chef with Flavors from Asia

Have you ever wanted to play chef and cook your meal?

At a Mongolian buffet, you get to build a tasty dish any way you want!  You take a bowl and fill it up with anything you’re craving to make your creation. People love Mongolian buffets because the choices seem endless. You can go simple with just a meat and veggie combo. With a Mongolian buffet, every bite is different if you want it to be. The best part is you control everything on your plate. It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure for foodies!

What is a Mongolian Buffet?

A Mongolian buffet lets you play chef and create your dishes! This restaurant style began in Taiwan in the 1970s. The “buffet” part means there are stations filled with ingredients for you to choose from. First, you grab a bowl. Then, you visit each station to add foods you want like raw veggies, marinated meat, noodles, and sauces. Some stations even let you pick cooked barbeque meats or seafood for them to chop up in your bowl!

The Origin Story of Buffet Mongolian

The origins of Mongolian buffets are more Taiwanese than Mongolian!

These creative stir-fry stations trace back to restaurants in Taiwan in the 1970s. Chefs there fused traditional Mongolian barbecue with fresh Chinese flavors and ingredients. They let customers pick their meats and veggies to grill up right at their tables.

These build-your-own buffets became all the rage across Taiwan. By the 1990s, the Mongolian buffet craze had hopped the pond to the United States. As the years went on, more and more restaurants opened up nationwide to meet the demand.

Part of what made Mongolian buffets so unique was letting diners customize their bowls and act as grill masters.

Key Ingredients in Buffet Mongolian

Buffet Mongolian showcases an array of ingredients that are central to Mongolian cuisine. Here are some key ingredients you can expect to find:

1. Meats

Mongolian buffets let you pick from many delicious meat options to add protein to your bowl. Some popular choices are:

• Beef – Sliced steak, sometimes marinated in soy sauce
• Chicken – Boneless strips, thighs or breasts
• Pork – Thin strips of tenderloin or boneless chops
• Shrimp – Plump, peeled shrimp
• Calamari – Tender rings of squid

2. Vegetables

Pile your bowl high with fresh, crunchy vegetables in any combination you desire! Some typical veggie offerings include:

• Broccoli – Chopped florets
• Carrots – thinly sliced or julienned
• Onions – White, yellow, or green onions
• Bean Sprouts – For some extra crunch
• Water Chestnuts – For texture

3. Noodles

Finish off your Mongolian buffet meal with your choice of noodles:

• Rice Noodles – Thin or wide pad thai style noodles
• Egg Noodles – Yellow noodles made with eggs and wheat
• Lo Mein – Thick, chewy Chinese wheat noodles
• Vermicelli – Thin glass noodles made from rice or mung beans

4. Sauces

Finally, ladle your choice of delectable sauces over your customized stir-fry! Popular options include:

• Soy Sauce – For saltiness and savoriness
• Oyster Sauce – Adds richness and depth of flavor
• Sweet & Sour – A fruity, tangy classic
• Curry Sauce – For a touch of spice and coconut
• Teriyaki – Sweet with a hint of smoky char

5. Dairy Products

Creamy yogurt, milk, and melted cheese often get stirred into the dishes you craft at a Mongolian buffet. A dollop of yogurt or a sprinkle of cheese adds a tangy flavor to your stir-fry.

6. Grains

Rice, wheat noodles, and barley make the foundation for your bowl. They soak up all the scrumptious sauces and juices from the ingredients you pick.

7. Herbs & Spices

Zippy ginger, earthy cumin, fresh cilantro, and a kick of chili peppers are frequently offered to spice up your meal. They infuse dishes with extra flavor.

8. Seafood

In addition to meat, juicy shrimp, tender scallops or calamari rings are seafood options you’ll see at many Mongolian buffet stations. They add extra protein and nutrients to your customized bowl.

Tips for Maximizing Your Mongolian Buffet Experience

1. Strategize First

Before grabbing a bowl, walk around and scope out all the options. Having a game plan helps you get your favorite items.

2. Sauces in Moderation

The sauces add lots of flavor but can overpower other ingredients. Start with small amounts and you can always add more!

3. Pace Yourself

It’s easy to get excited and overload your first bowl. But you can always go back for more, so start slow.

4. Use Tongs

Tongs help you safely handle raw meat and avoid cross-contamination with other foods. Don’t touch food with your hands.

5. Take Turns at the Grill

If it’s busy, don’t hog the grill. Be polite and let other people have a turn cooking their creations.

6. Keep Food separate.

Use separate plates for raw meat and cooked food to avoid contamination.

Popular Mongolian Buffet Chains

1. Genghis Grill

This giant chain has over 50 locations across the US. Genghis Grill offers classic proteins like chicken, steak, and shrimp. They also have unique options like bison meat and quinoa. Their signature yum yum sauce is a fan favorite.

2. HuHot Mongolian Grill

With almost 100 US locations, HuHot is one of the largest chains. They pride themselves on fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. HuHot has traditional Asian sauces plus creative ones like raspberry chipotle.

3. BD’s Mongolian Grill

BD’s has nearly 50 buffet locations, mostly in western states. They offer traditional stir-fry dishes along with southwestern fusion bowls. You can add queso or guacamole for a flavor twist.

4. Grilled Mongolian Buffet

This smaller chain on the East Coast is known for its all-you-can-eat crab legs! Grill Mongolian Buffet also has sushi and American classics like pizza alongside Asian cuisine.

5. East Mongolian Buffet

Based in Chicago, this mini-chain only has a handful of locations. But their authentic Mongolian hot pot is a local favorite. They offer an extensive buffet with culinary influences from across Asia.

Must Try Dishes of Buffet Mongolian

1. DIY Stir-Fry

Of course, crafting your stir-fry bowl is a Mongolian buffet essential. Mix and match flavors and ingredients to create your perfect meal.

2. Crispy Potstickers

These Chinese dumplings are filled with pork, chicken, and veggies. Pan-fried until golden brown, they make a tasty appetizer.

3. Sesame Chicken

Chunks of boneless chicken were breaded and coated in a sweet, tangy sesame sauce. This dish is a fan favorite!

4. Mongolian Beef

Tender beef flashes in a hot wok with soy sauce and spices for a quick but flavorful stir-fry.

5. Fresh Spring Rolls

Rice paper wraps stuffed with veggies and shrimp or chicken They’re served cool and dipped in peanut sauce.

6. Crab Rangoon

These crispy appetizers are filled with cream cheese and crab. You can’t go wrong with this classic combo!

7. Moo Shu Vegetables

Sautéed cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and beans wrapped in soft pancakes make a nice meatless meal.

8. Khuushuur

These golden-fried Mongolian dumplings are stuffed with ground beef or lamb and onions. They make a savory, meaty snack.

9. Buzz

These fluffy Mongolian dumplings are filled with juicy minced meat and steaming hot broth. Their pillowy texture melts in your mouth!

10. Khorkhog

Tender meat slowly cooks to perfection with veggies in this signature Mongolian stone pot stew. The stones and broth infuse it with savory essence.

11. Bantam

Slurp up slices of meat and slippery noodles swimming in this rich Mongolian veggie soup. It’s the ultimate comforting homestyle dish.

12. Tsui Wan

Hearty chunks of lamb mingle with carrots, potatoes, and noodles in this Mongolian one-pot meal. The broth soaks up all the flavors.

Health Benefits of Mongolian Cuisine

• Boosts Good Fat: Lots of Mongolian dishes contain healthy fats that are good for heart health, like omega-3s from grass-fed lamb meat and nuts.

• High Fiber: Veggies in Mongolian hot pots and stews provide lots of fiber to aid in digestion and support weight loss.

• Nutrient-Packed: Vegetables are grown in the nutrient-rich soil of the Mongolian grassland steppes and are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

• Free of Additives: Mongolian food is mainly cooked from scratch with simple whole-food ingredients rather than lots of artificial additives.

• High in Protein: Meat-based Mongolian dishes offer sustaining portions of protein to help build muscle and satisfy hunger.

• Brain Boosting Fats: Ingredients like goat milk have brain-boosting fats to aid focus and cognitive function.

Best Buffet Mongolian Restaurants Around the World

1. Little Sheep – China

With hundreds of locations across mainland China, Little Sheep is famous for its hot pot and extensive buffet. They use high-quality ingredients.

2. The Blue Sheep – Japan

This popular Japanese chain puts a unique spin on Mongolian cuisine. Their spicy soup is a signature dish.

3. Mongolian Buffet – Australia

One of the most well-known Mongolian buffet chains in Australia, Diners rave about their authentic lamb dishes.

4. Good MongKok – United Kingdom

This London hot spot is praised for flavorful dishes that balance Mongolian flavors with modern flair. Their desserts shine too.

5. Buffalo BBQ – India

India’s first Mongolian buffet chain, Buffalo BBQ, is best known for its unlimited food for a fixed price. Big crowds come for lunch.

6. Mongolie Grill – Brazil

Mongolie Grill brings a taste of Asia to Brazil. Guests are blown away by their expansive buffet with sushi, stir-fry, and more.

Is a Mongolian Buffet Right for You?

1. Good Fit If You Like Customization

Mongolian buffets are best for adventurous people who love options and control. Mix and match to your heart’s content!

2. Not Ideal If You Dislike Crowds

Given the interactiveness, Mongolian restaurants can get busy and crowded during peak times. Avoid it if you don’t like noise.

3. Great for Families With Kids

Children love picking ingredients and watching their food get cooked. The hands-on experience makes it fun for kids.

4. Not Ideal for Germaphobes

The shared surfaces mean Mongolian buffets aren’t the best choice for germaphobes concerned about cleanliness.

5. Best for Hearty Appetites

With endless food choices, Mongolian buffets appeal most to hearty eaters who can sample a wide variety.

6. Not for Romantic Dining

The casual, noisy atmosphere doesn’t provide the right ambiance for a romantic date night. Choose somewhere quieter.

In Review

From their origins in Taiwan to their growth in America, Mongolian buffets are a unique dining experience that combines cuisine styles. With abundant ingredients and personal customization, they allow creativity and adventure. While crowded and chaotic at times, they create mealtime memories.

Final Takeaway

If you love food, fun, and control, you must give a Mongolian buffet a try! Keep an open mind, pace yourself, and explore new flavors. Take this opportunity to broaden your horizons and craft a dish just for you. Grab some chopsticks and get ready to take your tastebuds on an adventure!

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