The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions and carries deep cultural significance. Enjoying traditional Ordos cuisine during this festival is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a way to preserve cultural heritage. This Mid-Autumn Festival, let's experience the various flavors of Ordos and learn about the rich history of its food culture.

Daximage

The daximage production technique from Hanggin Banner in southwestern Inner Mongolia, is listed as one of Inner Mongolia's representative intangible cultural heritage items.

Mainly produced deep within the Kubuqi Desert, daximage is a cherished beverage of the Mongolian people. Made from the milk of lactating cows or goats using time-honored techniques, it boasts a smooth texture and a mellow blend of sour and sweet flavors. 

In ancient times, daximage emerged as a unique dairy product in a dry, isolated environment with scarce resources. Today, it is a staple at grand festivals and a must-try delicacy for tourists to Ordos. It is enjoying increasing popularity nationwide.

Buns stuffed with dried beef and Mongolian wild onion

Techniques for making buns stuffed with dried beef and Mongolian wild onion (Allium mongolicum) are listed as one of Ordos' representative intangible cultural heritage items.

Mongolian wild onion, aromatic without being overpowering, is a perfect match with dried beef, fragrant without being greasy, together forming a delightful blend of fresh and savory flavors. Wrapped in high quality dough and steamed through precise control of heat and time, the original flavor and texture is largely preserved.

The buns are plain in appearance and will soothe your taste buds with their mellow taste. They are the choice food for hosting distinguished guests among Mongolian herdsman!

Stir-fried millet

The stir-fried millet production technique from Ejin Horoo Banner in southwestern Inner Mongolia is listed as one of Inner Mongolia's representative intangible cultural heritage items.

Stir-fried millet, commonly known as boiled millet, is a convenient food beloved by all ethnic groups in Ordos. It is often served alongside milk tea as the opening dish during banquets. The millet only become crispy and tasty after boiling, stir-frying, pounding and grinding. It goes perfectly with milk tea, milk crust, cheese and fried dough twists.

The golden stir-fried millet, deceptively simple, has been an indispensable part of herdsman's diets for centuries. Now as a symbol of national unity, it is playing an active role in rural vitalization and ethnic integration.