Hi there, it's Minami.

There are actually many fascinating souvenirs that you can buy in Mongolia!

This article will introduce them along with the main places where they can be purchased.

[Food and drink section]

Golden Gobi's Chocolates

It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most famous souvenir in Mongolia.

Yes, Golden Gobi chocolates.

Various chocolates are sold, of which Gel Chocolate is the most famous.

As the name suggests, it is in the form of a gel.

Basically, the cheapest way to buy them is to buy them at a specialty store inside Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, but be aware that they are closed on certain days (I believe they are closed on Mondays...).

In addition, they can be purchased at the Nomin Department Store, a popular place to buy souvenirs, or at the airport. (in the duty-free area after passing through security checkpoints).

I bought a box of chocolates at the Nomin department store because they were sold out of gel chocolates in town and I could not buy them. (Note that the airport is considerably more expensive than in town!)

They were all delicious!

In particular, the orange nut-flavored chocolate above is a typical Mongolian specialty flavor that is sure to please as well.

But the gel chocolates are great because you can put them on display even after you eat them. Even the contents of the box are very cute, faithfully reproducing the contents of the gel!

However, I think that even the illustration of the Yurt above in a winter scene would make a lovely picture in your room if you just cut off the lid and hung it in a frame! That's how much effort has gone into all of these Golden Gobi packages.

But please note that the important thing is that the chocolates are not individually wrapped, but packed as shown above (although they are eco-friendly!). This is good for when you want to give one whole one.

Rock salt

Since Mongolia is dry, it seems to produce a lot of salt.

So we also recommend rock salt souvenirs.

I bought mine at the airport.

To be honest, to the untrained eye, I couldn't tell the difference in salt.

But I recommend it for souvenirs because it feels affordable, premium, and easy to use!

The Mongolian salt I bought was $2/each at the airport when I bought it. The Mongolian salt I bought above is medium grained and just about the size of peppercorns in a typical pepper mill, but there are other varieties sold separately that are larger grained than this or finer grained for more culinary use. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

I bought it at the airport, and I think it's fairly priced and friendly (and the bag is very well made).

Buy it like grilling meat, how do you like it?

Sweets and teas using forestal fruits peculiar to Mongolia

Do you know what these yellow forestal fruits are?

They are peculiar to Mongolia and it's here, although it is sometimes found in Russia as well.

It seems to be called chachargan. (It may also be called sea berry. (Or perhaps you hear it more often in Japan as seaberry.)

Actually, the smell is quite strong (stinky), but when you eat it, it tastes sour and delicious. (However, the smell is strong).

By the way, these come in several individual packages in a large bag, so they are good for dispersal, but you may only need one W. (If you don't like exotics, you may not want to give it to someone who doesn't like exotics. It is a good idea to give it only to those who enjoy new things!

This is also available at the airport.

Tea + sweets for massive people

Tea

Mongolia is a tea powerhouse.

Please consider including tea, as well as chai(цай/чай）, as mentioned above

By the way, regarding this tea, even though it's called tea, it contains powdered dairy products from Mongolia, known for its dairy industry.

At this point, what I felt when drinking it was more like 'hot milk'.

For small sweets and snacks, you can find them at Nomin Department Store, while tea can be purchased at the airport.

Of course, you can purchase various types of tea at convenience stores (mini mart) as well.

I have purchased tea for colds before. Mongolia being a cold country, I imagine the tea consumed during colds in Mongolia must be quite effective!

Honey

To be honest, Mongolian honey itself is not particularly famous.

However, honey cultivated in Mongolia is famous among Japanese people. It's under the brand name 'Tomoko's Honey'.

Surprisingly, it's even mentioned in the 'Travel Guidebook' series. Initially, it seems they started producing honey as part of a JICA project, but over time, they became well-known beekeepers, even opening a shop and gaining recognition locally.

That's what's known as 'Tomoko's Honey'.

I personally couldn't buy it due to timing issues, but for those who want to purchase it, you can apparently go to Nomin Department.

This honey was available around January 2023.They appealed as a project on MakuakeIt seems it was also being offered around that time, so depending on the situation, you might be able to try it in Japan as well. Please do check it out.

[Daily products (consumable) ed.]

Soap

In Mongolia, there are indeed many soaps available for sale. This is because traditionally, soaps are made from the fat of livestock or animals!

So, in Mongolia, where dairy farming is thriving, I think soap would make a great souvenir item.

The characteristics of the soap can vary depending on where you buy it. For example, the one in the photo above has a distinctly handmade soap vibe.Mary & Martha MongoliaI bought there.

The smell of livestock gives a sense of being transported to the grasslands.

These are items purchased at Nomin Department Store. With their stylish packaging, they would make a great gift for someone special. What do you think?

By the way, if you look closely at the photo, you'll notice that Mongolian soap is not only for the body but also for hair! They sell both types.

It would surely become a topic of conversation due to its uniqueness!

Personally, when it comes to short trips, I find carrying shampoo a bit inconvenient because liquid products are usually heavier. So, solid soap is quite appreciated.

The variety of scents also adds excitement to using them, doesn't it?

The La Perla brand coffee soap shown here is also quite rare and unique.

This brand's soap is adorable too! It's a set of shampoo and conditioner. I'm thinking of using it for my travels.

Facial packing sheets

Face masks that are perfect for sharing around. Ideal for giving to friends who are interested in beauty.

I don't remember the exact price, so I apologize for that, but it wasn't too expensive.

[Things / Ornament]

Matouqin key ring

Yes, the Su-ho breed of white horses is indeed the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japan!!!

I couldn't resist buying this keychain; it's so Mongolian and lovely.

Keychains might be considered a disliked souvenir genre nowadays, but I think this one is stylish and nice. I would be happy to receive it! Horse 🐎

You can purchase it at the airport, but you can also find it in town. At the airport, it's available for $3-5.

Kazakh clothing, bags and accessories

Mary & Martha MongoliaThis shop is really recommended!!!

This shop is a bit hidden, so make sure to check Google Maps while peeking into the shop.

I even ended up buying things that I might not use right away. Well, I'll definitely use everything eventually...

I'm happy with the versatility of this Kazakh-patterned apron.

In Mongolia, especially during winter when it's cold, people typically keep their hats on even indoors, such as inside a ger, because it can get really cold and your head can start hurting.

寒さを幾度となく乗り越えている中央アジアの知恵が詰まった衣類、これは冬物は買うしかないと思いませんか。

This shop offers a wide variety of fantastic items at a great quality-to-cost ratio. If you're looking for clothing or miscellaneous goods, I highly recommend checking it out.

Shagai (ankle bone of livestock) шагай

The word 'шагай' may not sound familiar, but you might have seen it during your childhood, right?

Yes, it's a traditional Mongolian game played with the ankle bones of livestock!

I haven't uploaded direct photos because I think most of you are familiar with their appearance. Inside, there are actual bones securely placed. Each one comes from different livestock, so they have different shapes and are used for games and divination. (Please search separately for specific gameplay instructions)

By the way, you can purchase them at Mary & Martha.

How about it for friends who love exotic souvenirs and tabletop games?

[Others]

Products of Russia

Mongolia's proximity to Russia and the increasing number of immigrants from Russia may also be factors.

You can also find many imported goods from Russia!

You can come across a variety of items, from pharmacies to grocery stores in department stores, in various urban areas.

And it seems that Russian products, especially beauty products, often include many vegan options.

Where to get them?

These souveniors are almost all

bought at neither the airport,Mary & Martha Mongolia・nomin department store

. Please do not forget to buy them!

I purchased the beauty face masks at a different mall, but I'm having trouble remembering the name of the place... (I apologize).

But it should have been a shop mentioned in the Mongolia travel guidebook. I think it was called Goo Brand...

I also brought the following book with me, but please note that some of the shops mentioned may no longer exist. The ones I introduced above were available in 2023.

Conclusion

How was the article?

This article doesn't cover valuable items like passports or money, but please make sure not to forget them when you go!

Hope this article helps someone.

About other articles related to Mongolia, please see byClicking here!