Buuz

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Buuz is the Mongolian version of the steamed dumpling which is commonly found throughout the region. Etymologically, it reveals its origin to China, as baozi (Chinese: 包子; pinyin: bāozi^ⓘ) is the Mandarin word for steamed dumpling. They are eaten in great quantities throughout the year but especially during the Mongolian New Year celebrations, which usually fall in February. Buuz are prepared in the weeks before and left outside to freeze; they are consumed with salads and fried bread, accompanied by suutei tsai (Mongolian tea) and vodka.^[2] Niislel salad (Mongolian: Нийслэл салат), a variant of Olivier potato salad, is particularly popular, being almost ubiquitous among banquets and formal meals in Mongolian households.^[3]

Buuz are filled with minced lamb and mutton or beef,^[4] which is flavored with caraway seeds. Onion and/or garlic are often added, and the dish is then salted. Occasionally, they are flavored with sprouted fennel seeds and other seasonal herbs. In more modern recipes, carrots, cabbages and various other vegetables and even rice are also common additions.^[5] Condiments such as soy sauce and Chinsu are occasionally added for further flavoring.^[4]

The meat ball is then placed inside a small pocket of dough which is folded around the ball with a small opening at the top to prevent bursting due to steam formation, in the chef's own personal style. The buuz is then steamed and eaten by hand, with the dough pocket catching the juices of the meat.^[4]

• Gürzə, the Azerbaijani equivalent
• Khinkali, the Georgian equivalent
• Gyoza, the Japanese equivalent
• Jiaozi and baozi, Chinese equivalents
• Mandu, the Korean version
• Mantı, the Turkic/Central Asian version
• Modak, the Indian equivalent
• Kozhukkattai, the Tamil equivalent
• Momo, Nepalese and Tibetan equivalent
• Pelmeni, the Russian equivalent
• Vareniki, the Ukrainian/Polish/Lithuanian equivalent
• List of steamed foods