Buryat cuisine in Irkutsk, a bite of authentic Siberian flavours

Buryatia is one of the unique national republics of Russia.** **This land, being included in the **Russian **territory, looks like a completely different place to travelers. It has its **traditions, **a way of life that had not been changed since ancient times, and a **cuisine **that is **unique **and rather delicious. Luckily, **Buryatia **is situated very close to Lake Baikal, so if you go there, do not miss to explore this small but interesting place. However, you can still try all the **dishes of the Buryat cuisine **in Irkutsk, as I'll elaborate in this story. It is hard to imagine the **taste **of Buryatia without trying its most famous dishes. If you want to try this authentic cuisine, be ready to feel a **true Siberian taste at the tip **of your tongue!

Historical peculiarities

Although **Buryat **people are **Russian by **nationality, they have always proudly distinguished themselves with unique language, **culture **and, of course, food. This clash of cultures happened as early as the 18th century when the **Russian **Empire established definite borders with China. Then-**Buryat **people (there were many **Mongolians **among them too), became **Russian **citizens by chance. The problem was that Buryat people were used to living as nomads. They worked on their **pastures **in severe cold circumstances.

They had to eat well. They also were eager keepers of **ancient traditions, **which, for us, means that **Buryat food **had not been changed since the time of their nomadic tribal life. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are cooked following the centuries-old traditions. More often than not, their **cuisine **consists of three key ingredients: meat, milk, and flour. 

Famous meat dishes

**Buryat people **prefer to **eat horse **and lamb meat. They **cook soup **and broth and prepare sausages. One of the most **famous Buryat meat soup **is bukhleor. Imagine a very **thick broth **with huge meat pieces sided with entire **onion **bulbs (sometimes they can be halved), **spiced **with traditional Siberian herbs. **Bukhleor **is so delicious, that the very **smell **of it can make you want to try it even if you are not particularly hungry!

The best place to try it is the Uluus Restaurant in Irkutsk.

Famous milk dishes

**Buryat **people consider **milk **to be sacred. Partly, it can be explained by its color. White color symbolizes purity, happiness, and wealth in the Buryat culture. If you happen to visit a Buryat's house, they will offer you **milk **treats for sure. The most popular **milk product **is airag - fermented goat's milk. **Locals **compare it to koumiss, a Kazakh popular drink. However, **Buryats **make **airag **from the **horse milk **too, adding honey, **sugar, **and some raisins. **Buryats **believe that **airag **is a **drink **that cures many diseases. I am not sure if it is completely true, but **airag **is very invigorating.  Another **milk dish **is khuruul, a special **cheese **made from goat's curd. **Buryats drink tea **with this cheese. Not a single **Buryat meal **can be done without drinking tea. **Buryats **prefer **green tea **with milk, of course, but they **spice **their **tea **with **salt **and, curiously, butter.

Yes, you have read correctly, **Buryats drink salted tea **with **butter, **and you can enjoy it in the Cafe Dali in Irkutsk as well!

Buryatia is a special and unique place, as well as its cuisine. It would be a crime for any gourmand not to try something from Buryat cuisine while in Irkutsk! That way, you can have an authentic Siberian taste at the tip of your tongue!