Kochevnik: High-End Mongolian Food in Irkutsk

2016-05-26 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

Before catching the train, Seung-jun offered to treat me to Mongolian food. He probably wanted to buy me a meal because he knows I'm on a long trip and squeezing every penny. Ah, I'm so grateful ㅠㅠ I'll give you a big wedding gift later!

Bust of a man with a mustache set against a background of blue sky and trees — Gogol seems to be saying, "Why do you live like that?"

The Mongolian restaurant we entered seemed to scream, "We are high-end!!!! Ahhhh!!!" right from the entrance. They stored our luggage, and traditional Mongolian ornaments were displayed on the walls. The staff, who were all Mongolian, knew how to give big, bright smiles. And as if to emphasize that it's a Mongolian restaurant, a high-end TV ~~for this neighborhood~~ played an endless stream of Mongolian music videos.

The music videos felt incredibly familiar. People who looked like I'd seen them somewhere before were singing incomprehensible songs while wearing clothes from 10 to 20 years ago. They honestly looked exactly like the older guy next door from my old house, or the college student daughter from across the street. I had no idea we looked this similar; it was actually quite confusing how identical their features were to ours. Thanks to my older friend bringing me to such an obviously expensive place, I didn't even dare look at the menu and just shut up and ate whatever he ordered.

Russian signboard and building entrance of the Mongolian restaurant Kochevnik — Kochevnik, the high-quality Mongolian restaurant my friend found online

English menu with photos and descriptions of dishes like Tsuivan (meat and fried noodle dish)

English menu with a photo of the Serzhem dish, which includes grilled lamb and vegetable rolls

English menu with photos of shrimp salad and Sagudai (Baikal fish dish)

Drink menu listing various bottled and draft beers, including Mongolian beer

We mostly ate the dishes recommended by the server, and the flavors were incredibly clean. The lamb, in particular, had absolutely no gamey smell. I think it was the first time in my life I tasted what lamb is truly supposed to taste like. I was so full that I couldn't finish it, and I still regret it to this day—which says it all.

On top of that, the Chinggis Khan beer was so smooth and crisp that I immediately understood why the server kept introducing it as a "Premium beer." Based on my own taste buds, even if nothing else does, Russian blini (pancakes) and Chinggis Khan beer would absolutely be a hit in Korea.

A companion pouring bottled beer into a glass over a green table mat — Thankfully they poured the first glass for us, but gave us a ton of foam

A beer glass full of foam and two bottles of Mongolian beer, Altan Gobi and Borgio — First, the beer came out to cleanse our palates

Golden-fried flat dough dish placed on a white napkin — Similar to naan but fried, I guess you could call it fried naan. It's 20 RUB each

Stir-fried noodle dish with meat and vegetables topped with green onions, and two forks — Looks like stir-fried udon

Two bowls containing grilled meat, vegetables, and a dark sauce — An absolutely overwhelming tasting lamb. Not a hint of gamey smell, just incredibly delicious. Even though I knew I wouldn't be able to eat it on the train, it was too good to waste so I got it packed to go

I didn't even look at the prices, but I feel like I had a truly proper meal. I was so full, but it felt like such a shame to leave leftovers that I could barely bring myself to leave the table.

Small box with colorful patterns resting open on a green mat on the table — Such a pretty bill box

Restaurant interior wall and entrance decorated with a round shield, a bow, and a leather quiver

Restaurant interior featuring a wall decorated with a painting of a Mongolian warrior and light green sofas

Wall decorated with a mirror and models of traditional weaponry, including a helmet and arm armor holding a spear

Wooden statue and a green mask with horns displayed in an illuminated wall niche — This place is a true gem. Both the price and the taste are seriously high-end and delicious.

Expenses (Per Person)

Room change additional fee 50 RUB
Bus 150 RUB
Lunch 150 RUB
~~Lenin Coffee 108 RUB (My friend paid)~~
Water 61 RUB, Bread 17 RUB = 88 RUB
~~Dinner unknown (My friend paid)~~
Train 6,922 RUB
Shower 100 RUB

Total Expenses 7,460 RUB

Total Trip Expenses 525,936 KRW + 11,956 RUB + $53.16