From Geriin Buuz to Fine Dining : The Changes in Mongolian Food Culture from the 1990s to the Present

Mongolian food culture has changed radically in the last thirty years. During this period, Mongolia experienced significant cultural and social changes and the era of political opening up and economic changes also took place, in parallel with the worldwide process of globalisation. Explosive urbanisation undoubtedly left its mark on the everyday life of the Mongols, including their eating habits. The changes in food culture clearly shows how Mongolians integrate into the globalised cultural environment, and, at the same time, an opposite process can be observed – one which emphasises certain elements of traditional culture and makes them symbols of national self-representation.