Cooking can be a doorway into the stories and traditions an adoptee inherits but may not have grown up with. In the kitchen, ingredients become a link to places, people, and memories that help build a deeper sense of identity. It’s a simple, everyday way to honor where someone comes from while creating new traditions of your own. To wrap up NAAM 2025, Mongolian adoptee Meghan will be cooking Tsuivan, a hearty noodle dish from Mongolia.
Tsuivan is a classic Mongolian noodle stir-fry made with hand-cut noodles, mutton or beef, and fresh vegetables like onions and carrots. The noodles are made from a simple flour-and-water dough, rolled out, cut into strips, and cooked with the meat and vegetables. It can be served dry, as a soup, or even reheated the next morning with tea.
You’ll often find Tsuivan in guanz, small local canteens where people stop for a quick, satisfying meal. It’s usually served with tomato ketchup or Maggi sauce and reflects Mongolia’s simple, hearty food traditions. More than just a dish, Tsuivan is part of everyday life and hospitality in Mongolia. Making the noodles by hand and sharing the meal with others captures the warmth and togetherness at the heart of the culture.
Find a recipe for Tsuivan here and watch Meghan as she cooks this flavorful dish!
