Health and Vegetarians

There are a number of nasty diseases you can read about before coming, here non of which you will catch, unless you are very unlucky. The bubonic plague, which is obviously serious if you catch it, is almost unheard of, no cases of Malaria or yellow fever have been reported this year and rabies which is potentially the only decease you may catch is only known in the deepest darkest depths of the countryside.

There are a number of nasty diseases you can read about before coming, here non of which you will catch, unless you are very unlucky. The bubonic plague, which is obviously serious if you catch it, is almost unheard of, no cases of Malaria or yellow fever have been reported this year and rabies which is potentially the only decease you may catch is only known in the deepest darkest depths of the countryside.

UB is full of stray dogs who are often more pleasant and friendly than the locals!
 
It is not advisable to drink the tap water and much of the milk can be hit ot miss, however there is a Mongolian – New Zealand Joint venture milk, that is pretty tasty widely marketed around the country.

Dairy products such as cheese and butter are pretty good here and many are imported from Germany including some very nice local produce.

Fruit is mostly imported from China, which is usually full of DDT, “once left an apple on a shelf for ten weeks before started to turn”! More exotic fruit is harder to come by and items such as peaches and plums are quite expensive, fruit and vegetables are more expensive than meat   as meat is the mainstay of the economy, so the cost of living for non vegetarian’s isn’t that different to what it would be in your native country.

It can be very difficult to be vegetarian in Mongolia, as even the vegetable soup contains meat. I know of a number of vegans and vegetarian’s that were forced to return to eating meat simply to maintain their health.

There are a few vegetarian restaurants appearing around the city, the most popular one is called Greeno’s, which is on Peace Avenue close to Ick Delguur. However be prepared to look hard if you have any serious dietary restrictions. Veggies like Potatoes, Onions and Carrots are available in abundance, as these are the only vegetables hardy enough to grow in the harsh conditions, but anything else is pretty exotic.

Vitamin supplements are readily available almost anywhere in the city, however, they tend to be a little expensive, Mongolian’s love to take medicine and often book themselves into hospital for a holiday! Plain and simple I’m afraid, if you can’ hack it you shouldn’t of joined!