Begzsuren and his wife, Mungunsoyombo (Bee and Soy) learned how to cook from an early age, from their families. Soy learned how to make traditional food healthier from her experience in nutritional studies. They live with their three children in a traditional Ger house. Bee and his family have been hosting travelers since 2008 and they enjoy meeting people from all over the world, sharing more about Mongolian food and culture. Bee and Soy are also passionate about traveling, fitness and eating healthy.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal: (1-4 guests) This experience takes place in a traditional Ger home in the suburbs of Ulaanbaatar - 5kms from city center. A Ger is a portable, round tent covered with felt and used as a dwelling place in Central Asia. Bee and Soy will welcomed you with some warm nettle tea that Bee forages from a nearby mountain. After Bee introduces to Mongolian life and culture, join them for a traditional meal that may include dishes such as handmade noodle soup, carrot salad, rice with raisins and steamed dumplings. You will end your experience with a very interesting game called shagai (knuckle bone), which a family favorite!
Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Soy for a 2-hours cooking experience and learn to make two traditional Mongolian dishes. Learn to make dishes such as steamed dumplings and noodle soup using fresh ingredients and family recipes. Bee and Soy are excited to share their culture through food and offer a traditional cooking class in Ulaanbaatar.
Notes:
English is Begzsuren's second language and he may not always follow what you're saying, so do speak slowly. His children are studying English and enjoy being able to practice their English with travelers. Bee and Soy can offer a vegetarian meal on request, please inform them in advance while booking your Mongolian cooking class online.
Return transportation is included in the cost of the experience, so please include your hotel name and address when you book online.
Languages spoken: Mongolian, English
So happy I began my Ulaanbataar trip with Bee & Soy. Truly lovely people that welcomed me into their home, told me about their community, about how they live & about the food they love. Bee met me in hotel reception as arranged, we took a ‘taxi’, a local bus, then a short walk backwards up a hill and arrived at their Ger. Had good conversation, cooked, ate with his family, & learnt about Mongolia. Thank you so much Bee & Soy
The excitement of this adventurous visit began with our bus ride out of the center of Ulanbaataar. On the way to Begzsuren’s home we saw how the locals lived by seeing a different way of life than what we had seen in the city. We made our way to his traditional Ger where his wife greeted us. Soon after, Begzsuren arrived with a kettle of water that he had gathered from the well up the hill from his home. Being inside the ger home was an incredible experience. We learned about how families live throughout the year. The ambience in Begzsuren’s home was very traditional and real. I felt as if I were in the middle of the gobi dessert with a nomadic family, which I loved. My favorite thing about the experience was being able to have lunch in a traditional Mongolian home.
Marc and Bavly, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
What an amazing excursion. I work in tourism and have seen many activities over the years that lack sincerity and enthusiasm. This was not one of them. From the very beginning Bee and Soy were extremely welcoming into their home and showed me a very interesting window into their life. I learned a lot from them and had such a wonderful day and will 100% recommend this to any friends that may be heading to Mongolia. Thank you Bee and Soy!!!- Brian_B October 16, 2024
A never-to-be-forgotten experience. So much more than a cooking class! Bee and his wife Soy showed me around their traditional home and taught me a lot about Mongolian culture. Wonderful conversation and food. Arrived at about 10am and finished at approximately 3.30pm. A definite thumbs-up!- Camilla October 05, 2024
When I booked this cooking lesson my thoughts were that it would be fun and a great way to share a taste of Mongolia with my husband who did not take the trip. This is so very much more than a cooking lesson! Bee and Soy welcomed us into their home and gave us not only delicious new foods, but a wonderful introduction to Mongolia's rich culture, history and folklore. We laughed and learned, chatted, made buuz, roller dumplings and a delicious cup soup with a steamed noodle cover. We enjoyed homemade energy bars and delicious tea that Soy harvested from their yard. We also played knucklebones and learned the smart daughter in law game, were treated to singing and a bit of delicious milk vodka. We arrived brand new to Mongolia and by the time the evening was over we were fast friends! My sister and I had the misfortune to be in a serious accident later in our trip and a surprise visit from Bee at the hospital absolutely made my day. We are definitely planning a return visit to Mongolia and can't wait to see our friends again! This evening was the best possible introduction to Mongolia we could have hoped for and Bee and Soy are incredible Ambassadors.- KatlinelR September 29, 2024
Incredible host who offers a unique and amazing experience. Bee met me at my hotel and we traveled together back to his ger, where Bee and his wife taught me how to make Mongolian dishes along with history and tradition. They were quite delicious. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Ulaanbaatar interested in food and culture.- Sam S September 02, 2024
Every aspect of my visit to Bee and Soy's home was interesting, authentic and heart-warming. I learnt how to make regular Mongolian food and traditional delicacies. I joined the family - including children and grandchildren - for their evening meal. It was insightful to experience daily life in a ger. Bee and I met at a hotel in the city and we travelled together to and from his home in the ger distric- Dream August 23, 2024
Bee and Soy were very welcoming, and Bee was full of interesting facts about Mongolian food, culture, and general life. Doing this class in their ger home was an added benefit, as it gave me some insight into the benefits and challenges of living in a ger. The shot of milk vodka and songs to end the meal were an added benefit and made me feel more like a welcome guest than a customer paying for a class.- dannalk July 29, 2024
This really should be called Cooking, Culture and Customs. This was the first activity I did after arriving in Mongolia and I can't imagine a better way to start my trip. Bee picked me up and my hotel and we grabbed a ride to their neighborhood and walked to their Ger. Bee and his wife are so warm and welcoming. It took a little bit for his wife to get the base set up for our cooking and we had a lot of time to chat. Trust me, time will fly. If you are truly curious about Mongolia, Bee is such a great ambassador. After a successful career in IT, he left 10 years ago and is certified by the Mongolian government in Culture and Eco or Bio something. I sadly forgot. I felt like I was in Mongolian school in the best way possible. The time I spent with him and his wife, besides being enjoyable, empowered me to understand and appreciate my experiences all over Mongolia more. I brought a little notebook and had pages of notes to remember my experiences. Yes, we also made 3 dishes that were wonderful and full of flavor and culture. Show up curious and hungry and you will have the most wonderful time. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn about and experience true Mongolia. I recommend doing this before you head out to the remote areas.- dolfung July 25, 2024
Bee and Soy teached us to prepare mongolian dishes - a great experience and great food. But moreover we learned about knuckle bone games, traditional songs and saw how a family lives in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. It`s the introduction to Mongolia!- 154evel July 23, 2024
Wow. Such an incredible experience. Bee and Soy welcomed me into their ger home in the Ger suburb of Ulaanbaatar. We made roll dumplings and cup soup, which is only made for guests. Today was so much more than a cooking class. Bee explained to me the different beliefs about cooking in Mongolia, such as how you eat different sweet meats depending on the time of year. (Heart for summer.) And the meat from free-range sheep bestows the nutrients of the herbs they eat. Also, sheep tail fat is easy to digest because it's soft. Bee also taught about different games you can play with sheep bones. The afternoon ended with a song. Bee and Soy were such welcoming people. Their hearts were so open and giving. I feel blessed that they welcomed me into their homes.- nadiaar July 22, 2024
This was the most amazing family to serve as ambassadors for Mongolia. Recommend to all travellers. I hope they continue this experience for many years.- 125pen July 07, 2024
This was the most amazing family to serve as ambassadors for Mongolia. Recommend to all travellers. I hope they continue this experience for many years.- 125 peninsula July 07, 2024
If this is the only adventure you do in Ulaanbaatar, you would not regret it. Felt like a friend of a friends family welcomed me into their home, not an “organized online tour”. Originally, I thought how authentic and unique can we get if we are going through a worldwide booking company for an adventure. Much like most of you reading these reviews, you’ve been on many organized tours that barely scraped the surface and left you wanting more. What this felt like was, a friend of a friend organized for me to hang out with their family for 6 hours. That’s what this felt like and that’s exactly what most of us are after if we are traveling to remote places like Mongolia. How many of your friends and family have ever been to Mongolia before? I don’t know anybody and everybody I’ve spoken to that are my friends and family also do not know anybody that has been either. This experience was absolutely essential to my travel experience. Bee and Soy are the most beautiful welcoming humans ever. We started off with a hotel pick up which involved getting a taxi to their home on the outskirts in gher district. Soy Provided us with some snacks as Bee and I sat down To chat. He taught me a lot about the gher that they live in. We eventually started working on the main course which was sheep heart and sheep rump dumplings, and soup. It was so incredible to learn about the meet that we were preparing and the importance of not wasting anything. As we ate, we talked about Mongolia even more. After dinner Bee and Soy sang songs to help digest, what a delight! Bee Showed me some bones and the importance of keeping them as the Mongolians use bones for so many things, including games, fasteners, and toys. We eventually made our way out of the gher to head back to my hotel. I cannot recommend this tour enough and I’ve never left such a glowing review for any organized trip before. If you are in the area and have an afternoon/evening available, this would be the best option.- Kristin_M May 22, 2024
If this is the only adventure you do in Ulaanbaatar, you would not regret it. Originally, I thought how authentic and unique can we get if we are going through a worldwide booking company for an adventure. Much like most of you reading these reviews, you’ve been on many organized tours that barely scraped the surface and left you wanting more. What this felt like was, a friend of a friend organized for me to hang out with their family for 6 hours. That’s what this felt like and that’s exactly what most of us are after if we are traveling to remote places like Mongolia. How many of your friends and family have ever been to Mongolia before? I don’t know anybody and everybody I’ve spoken to that are my friends and family also do not know anybody that has been either. This experience was absolutely essential to my travel experience. Bee and Soy Are the most beautiful welcoming humans ever. We started off with a hotel pick up which involved getting a taxi to their home on the outskirts in gher district. Soy Provided us with some snacks as Bee and I sat down To chat. He taught me a lot about the gher that they live in. We eventually started working on the main course which was sheep heart and sheep rump dumplings, and soup. It was so incredible to learn about the meet that we were preparing and the importance of not wasting anything. As we ate, we talked about Mongolia even more. After dinner Bee and Soy sang songs to help digest, what a delight! Bee Showed me some bones and the importance of keeping them as the Mongolians use bones for so many things, including games, fasteners, and toys. We eventually made our way out of the gher to head back to my hotel. I cannot recommend this tour enough and I’ve never left such a glowing review for any organized trip before. If you are in the area and have an afternoon/evening available, this would be the best option.- Kristin_M May 22, 2024
Bee and Soy were absolutely delightful hosts. From the moment I stepped into their home, I was greeted with warmth and kindness. Not only did they teach me how to prepare three authentic Mongolian dishes, they also explained the history behind them, including how every part of the animal is used. It was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Mongolian cuisine and culture. Thank you for a wonderful time!- Laura J April 07, 2024
What a beautiful, kind and humble couple Bee and Soy were! They welcomed me into their cosy gher and it was as if we were old friends right from the start. The cooking experience was interactive and immersive with conversation flowing about Mongolia and my nation Wales. We played traditional Mongolian games using the bones of different animals. I was treated to a selection of traditional Mongolian songs too! Highly recommend this authentic experience! 🇲🇳❤️🏴- Ian_M April 02, 2024
Bee and Soy are simply amazing hosts. From collecting us from our hotel, to showing us his local area, they were generous in sharing their culture. We learnt about the Mongolian philosophy of using the whole animal (including making games with the bones), made a delicious soup, some scrumptious dumplings, and (on request) some tasty horsures (?) - fried dumplings. So good! Bee and Soy also shared some milk vodka with us, and sang some traditional Mongolian songs. Overall it was a true cultural immersion with two people who are justly very proud of their culture. Thank you Bee and Soy - we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Chelsea, Bec and Bec - Canberra, Australia- Chelsea March 13, 2024
This experience was a lot of fun. I learned new concepts, ideas and aspects of Mongolian culture through long conversations with the host family. I recommend this cooking class, whether or not you are interested in cooking!- Michiko March 09, 2024
Bee and his partner were wonderful hosts and guides on my journey to learn more about Mongolia through cuisine!- Marc_M March 07, 2024
This was by far the BEST time we had in Mongolia! Simply incredible! To be able to go to the Ger District and learn so much aboit Mongolian culture. Soy is a great cook. Bee truly loves what he does. We learned to cook traditional Mongolian food that we later saw in restaurants, they sang traditional Mongolian songs for us and brought tears to my eyes. And they even prepared a gift for us. I wish l could tell everyone to go to Mongolia.- L5353ZS January 14, 2024
Bee and Soy from start to finish. Me and my wife are out of words to this unforgettable experience. Traveler’s, if in Mongolia please do not hesitate to have reservations with them. Really, the nomadic culture in Mongolia is extremely magnificent. Thanks again, Bee and Soy!- John_U September 30, 2023
It was truly a local and authentic experience. My hosts Soy and Bee reached out to me to confirm details once I have booked and they were punctual on the day itself. I learnt to make local dishes from scratch and they were extremely patient with me. I was also able to see a part of town where many locals live as opposed to the touristy part in the main city centre. This tour offers valuable insight into the real ger life and I would highly recommend this for those who are interested in the real local culture.- YuenSa May 04, 2023
I learned a lot from Bee and Soy's detailed and caring hospitality and explanations! The steamed dumplings and noodles made in their cozy traditional Mongolian ger were really delicious. It's not easy to find lamb in Korea, so I don't know if I can make it the same way, but I'll definitely try the way Soy taught me. Bee has a good understanding of the Korean sentiment of Han and is one of the smartest and wisest people I have ever met. After class, we ate dumplings and noodles, and had a great time listening to Mongolian songs by Soy and Bee and playing traditional games. May Soyi and Rain always be happy and healthy!- Tourist7 April 22, 2023
I really had a wonderful and extraordinary experience with Bee and Soy. They are so warm, wise & intelligent and tauhgt me the traditional steamed dumpling and noodle soup systematically and in detail. Both 2 dishes were so good and I will try to make them my home. Bee told me many Mongolian tradition. After dinner, we played very interesting Mongolian traditional games with the sheep bones and Bee and Soy sang some Mongolian songs for me! It was very impressive that Bee knew some of Korean basic emotion. Thank you very much Bee & Soy and Travelingspoon, I had a really enjoyed that class!- Jaeyeon April 22, 2023
Bee and Soy made me feel so welcome in their home. I was grateful they could accommodate my vegetarian diet. Not only was the food delicious, but I learned so much about Mongolian culture and traditions. Bee also walked me around the neighborhood after lunch. This was my favorite experience in Mongolia.- Melanie April 10, 2023
This was a great half day experience. Soy and Bee were the best hosts and it truly was a cultural experience. Also very close to UB city center.- ademida April 09, 2023
Spending one afternoon with Bee and Soy was amazing. Such warm people. A wonderful insight in Mongolian culture and life (and food).- kjetilj20 April 03, 2023
We were at Bee and Soy house as a guests. They were really nice and shared with us everything they have. Thanks for your hospitality.- July 26, 2022
This was a wonderful experience. Be and Soy were delightful hosts. They were so unpretentious and hospitable, sharing their colorful and homey ger with us as if we were old friends. They cheerfully showed all the steps to making 2 traditional dishes from scratch, patiently allowing us to fumble along. Despite our amateurish assistance, the dishes turned out to be the best we've had.- BSansom July 19, 2022
1 person | 2-4 ppl | 5+ people | |
---|---|---|---|
Cooking Experience + Meal
|
$96 | $96 | Not offered |
Transportation
|
$0 per car | ||
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. |
1 person | 2-4 ppl | 5+ people | |
---|---|---|---|
Cooking Experience + Meal
|
$96 | $96 | Not offered |
Transportation
|
$0 per car | ||
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. |
Lunch | Dinner | |
---|---|---|
Cooking Experience+ Meal
|
9:30am-2:30pm | 2:30pm-7:30pm |
Begzsuren and his wife, Mungunsoyombo (Bee and Soy) learned how to cook from an early age, from their families. Soy learned how to make traditional food healthier from her experience in nutritional studies. They live with their three children in a traditional Ger house. Bee and his family have been hosting travelers since 2008 and they enjoy meeting people from all over the world, sharing more about Mongolian food and culture. Bee and Soy are also passionate about traveling, fitness and eating healthy.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal: (1-4 guests) This experience takes place in a traditional Ger home in the suburbs of Ulaanbaatar - 5kms from city center. A Ger is a portable, round tent covered with felt and used as a dwelling place in Central Asia. Bee and Soy will welcomed you with some warm nettle tea that Bee forages from a nearby mountain. After Bee introduces to Mongolian life and culture, join them for a traditional meal that may include dishes such as handmade noodle soup, carrot salad, rice with raisins and steamed dumplings. You will end your experience with a very interesting game called shagai (knuckle bone), which a family favorite!
Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Soy for a 2-hours cooking experience and learn to make two traditional Mongolian dishes. Learn to make dishes such as steamed dumplings and noodle soup using fresh ingredients and family recipes. Bee and Soy are excited to share their culture through food and offer a traditional cooking class in Ulaanbaatar.
Notes:
English is Begzsuren's second language and he may not always follow what you're saying, so do speak slowly. His children are studying English and enjoy being able to practice their English with travelers. Bee and Soy can offer a vegetarian meal on request, please inform them in advance while booking your Mongolian cooking class online.
Return transportation is included in the cost of the experience, so please include your hotel name and address when you book online.
Languages spoken: Mongolian, English
So happy I began my Ulaanbataar trip with Bee & Soy. Truly lovely people that welcomed me into their home, told me about their community, about how they live & about the food they love. Bee met me in hotel reception as arranged, we took a ‘taxi’, a local bus, then a short walk backwards up a hill and arrived at their Ger. Had good conversation, cooked, ate with his family, & learnt about Mongolia. Thank you so much Bee & Soy
The excitement of this adventurous visit began with our bus ride out of the center of Ulanbaataar. On the way to Begzsuren’s home we saw how the locals lived by seeing a different way of life than what we had seen in the city. We made our way to his traditional Ger where his wife greeted us. Soon after, Begzsuren arrived with a kettle of water that he had gathered from the well up the hill from his home. Being inside the ger home was an incredible experience. We learned about how families live throughout the year. The ambience in Begzsuren’s home was very traditional and real. I felt as if I were in the middle of the gobi dessert with a nomadic family, which I loved. My favorite thing about the experience was being able to have lunch in a traditional Mongolian home.
Marc and Bavly, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
What an amazing excursion. I work in tourism and have seen many activities over the years that lack sincerity and enthusiasm. This was not one of them. From the very beginning Bee and Soy were extremely welcoming into their home and showed me a very interesting window into their life. I learned a lot from them and had such a wonderful day and will 100% recommend this to any friends that may be heading to Mongolia. Thank you Bee and Soy!!!- Brian_B October 16, 2024
A never-to-be-forgotten experience. So much more than a cooking class! Bee and his wife Soy showed me around their traditional home and taught me a lot about Mongolian culture. Wonderful conversation and food. Arrived at about 10am and finished at approximately 3.30pm. A definite thumbs-up!- Camilla October 05, 2024
When I booked this cooking lesson my thoughts were that it would be fun and a great way to share a taste of Mongolia with my husband who did not take the trip. This is so very much more than a cooking lesson! Bee and Soy welcomed us into their home and gave us not only delicious new foods, but a wonderful introduction to Mongolia's rich culture, history and folklore. We laughed and learned, chatted, made buuz, roller dumplings and a delicious cup soup with a steamed noodle cover. We enjoyed homemade energy bars and delicious tea that Soy harvested from their yard. We also played knucklebones and learned the smart daughter in law game, were treated to singing and a bit of delicious milk vodka. We arrived brand new to Mongolia and by the time the evening was over we were fast friends! My sister and I had the misfortune to be in a serious accident later in our trip and a surprise visit from Bee at the hospital absolutely made my day. We are definitely planning a return visit to Mongolia and can't wait to see our friends again! This evening was the best possible introduction to Mongolia we could have hoped for and Bee and Soy are incredible Ambassadors.- KatlinelR September 29, 2024
Incredible host who offers a unique and amazing experience. Bee met me at my hotel and we traveled together back to his ger, where Bee and his wife taught me how to make Mongolian dishes along with history and tradition. They were quite delicious. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Ulaanbaatar interested in food and culture.- Sam S September 02, 2024
Every aspect of my visit to Bee and Soy's home was interesting, authentic and heart-warming. I learnt how to make regular Mongolian food and traditional delicacies. I joined the family - including children and grandchildren - for their evening meal. It was insightful to experience daily life in a ger. Bee and I met at a hotel in the city and we travelled together to and from his home in the ger distric- Dream August 23, 2024
Bee and Soy were very welcoming, and Bee was full of interesting facts about Mongolian food, culture, and general life. Doing this class in their ger home was an added benefit, as it gave me some insight into the benefits and challenges of living in a ger. The shot of milk vodka and songs to end the meal were an added benefit and made me feel more like a welcome guest than a customer paying for a class.- dannalk July 29, 2024
This really should be called Cooking, Culture and Customs. This was the first activity I did after arriving in Mongolia and I can't imagine a better way to start my trip. Bee picked me up and my hotel and we grabbed a ride to their neighborhood and walked to their Ger. Bee and his wife are so warm and welcoming. It took a little bit for his wife to get the base set up for our cooking and we had a lot of time to chat. Trust me, time will fly. If you are truly curious about Mongolia, Bee is such a great ambassador. After a successful career in IT, he left 10 years ago and is certified by the Mongolian government in Culture and Eco or Bio something. I sadly forgot. I felt like I was in Mongolian school in the best way possible. The time I spent with him and his wife, besides being enjoyable, empowered me to understand and appreciate my experiences all over Mongolia more. I brought a little notebook and had pages of notes to remember my experiences. Yes, we also made 3 dishes that were wonderful and full of flavor and culture. Show up curious and hungry and you will have the most wonderful time. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn about and experience true Mongolia. I recommend doing this before you head out to the remote areas.- dolfung July 25, 2024
Bee and Soy teached us to prepare mongolian dishes - a great experience and great food. But moreover we learned about knuckle bone games, traditional songs and saw how a family lives in the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. It`s the introduction to Mongolia!- 154evel July 23, 2024
Wow. Such an incredible experience. Bee and Soy welcomed me into their ger home in the Ger suburb of Ulaanbaatar. We made roll dumplings and cup soup, which is only made for guests. Today was so much more than a cooking class. Bee explained to me the different beliefs about cooking in Mongolia, such as how you eat different sweet meats depending on the time of year. (Heart for summer.) And the meat from free-range sheep bestows the nutrients of the herbs they eat. Also, sheep tail fat is easy to digest because it's soft. Bee also taught about different games you can play with sheep bones. The afternoon ended with a song. Bee and Soy were such welcoming people. Their hearts were so open and giving. I feel blessed that they welcomed me into their homes.- nadiaar July 22, 2024
This was the most amazing family to serve as ambassadors for Mongolia. Recommend to all travellers. I hope they continue this experience for many years.- 125pen July 07, 2024
This was the most amazing family to serve as ambassadors for Mongolia. Recommend to all travellers. I hope they continue this experience for many years.- 125 peninsula July 07, 2024
If this is the only adventure you do in Ulaanbaatar, you would not regret it. Felt like a friend of a friends family welcomed me into their home, not an “organized online tour”. Originally, I thought how authentic and unique can we get if we are going through a worldwide booking company for an adventure. Much like most of you reading these reviews, you’ve been on many organized tours that barely scraped the surface and left you wanting more. What this felt like was, a friend of a friend organized for me to hang out with their family for 6 hours. That’s what this felt like and that’s exactly what most of us are after if we are traveling to remote places like Mongolia. How many of your friends and family have ever been to Mongolia before? I don’t know anybody and everybody I’ve spoken to that are my friends and family also do not know anybody that has been either. This experience was absolutely essential to my travel experience. Bee and Soy are the most beautiful welcoming humans ever. We started off with a hotel pick up which involved getting a taxi to their home on the outskirts in gher district. Soy Provided us with some snacks as Bee and I sat down To chat. He taught me a lot about the gher that they live in. We eventually started working on the main course which was sheep heart and sheep rump dumplings, and soup. It was so incredible to learn about the meet that we were preparing and the importance of not wasting anything. As we ate, we talked about Mongolia even more. After dinner Bee and Soy sang songs to help digest, what a delight! Bee Showed me some bones and the importance of keeping them as the Mongolians use bones for so many things, including games, fasteners, and toys. We eventually made our way out of the gher to head back to my hotel. I cannot recommend this tour enough and I’ve never left such a glowing review for any organized trip before. If you are in the area and have an afternoon/evening available, this would be the best option.- Kristin_M May 22, 2024
If this is the only adventure you do in Ulaanbaatar, you would not regret it. Originally, I thought how authentic and unique can we get if we are going through a worldwide booking company for an adventure. Much like most of you reading these reviews, you’ve been on many organized tours that barely scraped the surface and left you wanting more. What this felt like was, a friend of a friend organized for me to hang out with their family for 6 hours. That’s what this felt like and that’s exactly what most of us are after if we are traveling to remote places like Mongolia. How many of your friends and family have ever been to Mongolia before? I don’t know anybody and everybody I’ve spoken to that are my friends and family also do not know anybody that has been either. This experience was absolutely essential to my travel experience. Bee and Soy Are the most beautiful welcoming humans ever. We started off with a hotel pick up which involved getting a taxi to their home on the outskirts in gher district. Soy Provided us with some snacks as Bee and I sat down To chat. He taught me a lot about the gher that they live in. We eventually started working on the main course which was sheep heart and sheep rump dumplings, and soup. It was so incredible to learn about the meet that we were preparing and the importance of not wasting anything. As we ate, we talked about Mongolia even more. After dinner Bee and Soy sang songs to help digest, what a delight! Bee Showed me some bones and the importance of keeping them as the Mongolians use bones for so many things, including games, fasteners, and toys. We eventually made our way out of the gher to head back to my hotel. I cannot recommend this tour enough and I’ve never left such a glowing review for any organized trip before. If you are in the area and have an afternoon/evening available, this would be the best option.- Kristin_M May 22, 2024
Bee and Soy were absolutely delightful hosts. From the moment I stepped into their home, I was greeted with warmth and kindness. Not only did they teach me how to prepare three authentic Mongolian dishes, they also explained the history behind them, including how every part of the animal is used. It was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Mongolian cuisine and culture. Thank you for a wonderful time!- Laura J April 07, 2024
What a beautiful, kind and humble couple Bee and Soy were! They welcomed me into their cosy gher and it was as if we were old friends right from the start. The cooking experience was interactive and immersive with conversation flowing about Mongolia and my nation Wales. We played traditional Mongolian games using the bones of different animals. I was treated to a selection of traditional Mongolian songs too! Highly recommend this authentic experience! 🇲🇳❤️🏴- Ian_M April 02, 2024
Bee and Soy are simply amazing hosts. From collecting us from our hotel, to showing us his local area, they were generous in sharing their culture. We learnt about the Mongolian philosophy of using the whole animal (including making games with the bones), made a delicious soup, some scrumptious dumplings, and (on request) some tasty horsures (?) - fried dumplings. So good! Bee and Soy also shared some milk vodka with us, and sang some traditional Mongolian songs. Overall it was a true cultural immersion with two people who are justly very proud of their culture. Thank you Bee and Soy - we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Chelsea, Bec and Bec - Canberra, Australia- Chelsea March 13, 2024
This experience was a lot of fun. I learned new concepts, ideas and aspects of Mongolian culture through long conversations with the host family. I recommend this cooking class, whether or not you are interested in cooking!- Michiko March 09, 2024
Bee and his partner were wonderful hosts and guides on my journey to learn more about Mongolia through cuisine!- Marc_M March 07, 2024
This was by far the BEST time we had in Mongolia! Simply incredible! To be able to go to the Ger District and learn so much aboit Mongolian culture. Soy is a great cook. Bee truly loves what he does. We learned to cook traditional Mongolian food that we later saw in restaurants, they sang traditional Mongolian songs for us and brought tears to my eyes. And they even prepared a gift for us. I wish l could tell everyone to go to Mongolia.- L5353ZS January 14, 2024
Bee and Soy from start to finish. Me and my wife are out of words to this unforgettable experience. Traveler’s, if in Mongolia please do not hesitate to have reservations with them. Really, the nomadic culture in Mongolia is extremely magnificent. Thanks again, Bee and Soy!- John_U September 30, 2023
It was truly a local and authentic experience. My hosts Soy and Bee reached out to me to confirm details once I have booked and they were punctual on the day itself. I learnt to make local dishes from scratch and they were extremely patient with me. I was also able to see a part of town where many locals live as opposed to the touristy part in the main city centre. This tour offers valuable insight into the real ger life and I would highly recommend this for those who are interested in the real local culture.- YuenSa May 04, 2023
I learned a lot from Bee and Soy's detailed and caring hospitality and explanations! The steamed dumplings and noodles made in their cozy traditional Mongolian ger were really delicious. It's not easy to find lamb in Korea, so I don't know if I can make it the same way, but I'll definitely try the way Soy taught me. Bee has a good understanding of the Korean sentiment of Han and is one of the smartest and wisest people I have ever met. After class, we ate dumplings and noodles, and had a great time listening to Mongolian songs by Soy and Bee and playing traditional games. May Soyi and Rain always be happy and healthy!- Tourist7 April 22, 2023
I really had a wonderful and extraordinary experience with Bee and Soy. They are so warm, wise & intelligent and tauhgt me the traditional steamed dumpling and noodle soup systematically and in detail. Both 2 dishes were so good and I will try to make them my home. Bee told me many Mongolian tradition. After dinner, we played very interesting Mongolian traditional games with the sheep bones and Bee and Soy sang some Mongolian songs for me! It was very impressive that Bee knew some of Korean basic emotion. Thank you very much Bee & Soy and Travelingspoon, I had a really enjoyed that class!- Jaeyeon April 22, 2023
Bee and Soy made me feel so welcome in their home. I was grateful they could accommodate my vegetarian diet. Not only was the food delicious, but I learned so much about Mongolian culture and traditions. Bee also walked me around the neighborhood after lunch. This was my favorite experience in Mongolia.- Melanie April 10, 2023
This was a great half day experience. Soy and Bee were the best hosts and it truly was a cultural experience. Also very close to UB city center.- ademida April 09, 2023
Spending one afternoon with Bee and Soy was amazing. Such warm people. A wonderful insight in Mongolian culture and life (and food).- kjetilj20 April 03, 2023
We were at Bee and Soy house as a guests. They were really nice and shared with us everything they have. Thanks for your hospitality.- July 26, 2022
This was a wonderful experience. Be and Soy were delightful hosts. They were so unpretentious and hospitable, sharing their colorful and homey ger with us as if we were old friends. They cheerfully showed all the steps to making 2 traditional dishes from scratch, patiently allowing us to fumble along. Despite our amateurish assistance, the dishes turned out to be the best we've had.- BSansom July 19, 2022
1 person | 2-4 ppl | 5+ people | |
---|---|---|---|
Cooking Experience + Meal
|
$96 | $96 | Not offered |
Transportation
|
$0 per car | ||
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. |
1 person | 2-4 ppl | 5+ people | |
---|---|---|---|
Cooking Experience + Meal
|
$96 | $96 | Not offered |
Transportation
|
$0 per car | ||
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. |
Lunch | Dinner | |
---|---|---|
Cooking Experience+ Meal
|
9:30am-2:30pm | 2:30pm-7:30pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.
If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.
Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.
Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.
Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.
Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.
Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.
All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.
100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.
Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.
Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.
Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.
Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").
Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.
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