Meat products

The meat dishes of the Mongolian people in the nomadic region are mainly sheep, goat meat and beef. In the past, Inner Mongolian people hunted for yellow sheep, roe deer, wild boar, hares, and pheasants for food.

1. Roasted whole lamb

Roasted whole lamb [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

Roasted whole lamb is a traditional Baotou delicacy. It is a whole lamb roasted on a spit, with the skin left on but the wool removed. The roasted lamb is golden red in color, with crispy skin and tender meat. It is a symbol of Inner Mongolian cuisine.

2. Mongolian boiled lamb

For herdsmen, boiled lamb is a plain, traditional meal, one that has endured for a thousand years. [Photo/baotounews.com.cn]

Boiled lamb is what Mongolians call "red food", or "meat" that is meant to be eaten with hands. For herdsmen, boiled lamb is a plain, traditional meal, one that has endured for a thousand years.

To prepare it, the mutton is taken off the bone and put into a pot of boiling water, without sauce or salt. To eat it, you grasp the bone with one hand and cut the meat with the other, then dip the mutton into whatever seasoning is offered. Herdsmen usually have this dish for dinner.