Mongolian in Toronto?

[dr. food]

Hello, hello,

I have a house guest with me, a dear friend who is Mongolian, homesick for some real Mongolian food. To her, Mongolian Grill, and similar places, are quite the joke in terms of representing true Mongolian cuisine.

So, any leads on real Mongolian food, restaurants, groceries, etc. etc..

Thanks!

[simplepieman]

I remember years ago that Yueh Tung used to have Mongolian dishes on their lunch menu. I tried a dish and didn't enjoy it too much. It was meat and rice covered in a porridge-like sauce. I haven't seen it on their menu in quite awhile - I imagine it wasn't their most popular offering - but it might be worth giving them a call and asking.

[Teep]

Are you sure it's Mongolian and not Manchurian? Yueh Tung serves Hakka (i.e. Indian Chinese) dishes such as Manchurian beef.

[simplepieman]

Yes, they still have the Manchurian dishes. As far as I can remember, the Mongolian dishes only appeared on their card of daily lunch specials.

[dr. food]

She's definitely Mongolian, and not Manchurian, not Hakka. I plan to suggest the three options (Silk Road, Beef & Lamb, and Yueh Tung), and try one before she heads back to school in the US Midwest.

[Teep]

I am not convinced Yueh Tung would serve traditional Mongolian dishes, as opposed to those in name only, e.g. "Mongolian Beef" which is an American creation. If she can only try one, I'd recommend one of the other 2.

[simplepieman]

You're probably right, Teep, that it's unlikely for Yueh Tung to have the real thing, at least not any more, but it definitely wasn't the "Mongolian Beef" most people are familiar with. It was a fairly crude dish, bland and porridge-y, with no vegetables or discernible spiciness. The waiter even warned me that I might not like it. Like I said, better to call first before chancing it.

[foodyDudey]

Did your friend say what real Mongolian food is? I had a look, and what I found makes me think that she won't be finding it in the GTA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia...

[dr. food]

In the Toronto area, you never know what you might find. Yes, we've discussed a lot of the more interesting delicacies, which I am sure she wouldn't get. But some of the dumplings, or porridge dishes. Agreed, much of the menu doesn't have a strong draw for the rest of us.

Knowing how many Chinese restaurants work, with the regular menu, and the better food that isn't on it. often a restaurant poses as one thing, then has a real menu for the expats. I wondered if anyone knew of a place like that.

Thanks!

[toveggiegirl]

That wiki entry doesn't really make it sound very appetizing.

Dr. Food, maybe you could cook something for you friend from "Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China" by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid . It has some Mongolian recipes. The authors actually live in Toronto (when not travelling the world searching for great eats); perhaps they would be able to help you find local Mongolian food. You can try contacting Naomi through her blog: http://naomiduguid.blogspot.com/

Also, Chinese Traditional Buns has millet congee (which is apparently Mongolian).

[Learn2CooknEat]

I think this is the same case as when I was looking for Hawaiian cuisine, not Hawaiian pizza but more authentic. I had to look online and do my best from wiki and recipe info. I think aside from a Hawaiian Luau, I would also like a Mongolian firepit dinner. Everyone surrounding the fire and sizzling up lamb and drinking horse milk... or do I have the wrong cuisine, lol?

[toveggiegirl]

I don't think Toronto has any Mongolian restaurants (as far as I know).
According to this website discussion http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/sh... you might want to check out these two restaurants for somewhat similar dishes.

Silk Road Restaurant - Uighur cuisine
438 Horner Ave, Etobicoke

Chinese Beef and Lamb House - Muslim Northeastern Chinese Food
3591 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough

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Coco Loco
2625 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324

[erly]

Don't highly recommend the Beef and Lamb House.
Tried it once, but the meat quality, while abundant is very poor.
You might want to try it anyway, as it is cheap and fun.

[dr. food]

I'd actually take anything in the GTA, or a bit beyond. Cheers!