Hey everyone,

I'm visiting Ulaan Bataar with my boyfriend for Lunar New Year. We'll be there from Wed-Sun. Any restaurant/bar/whatever recommendations for UB? We're using Khongor Tours for a day trip to Terelj on Thursday and then three days to Khairkhan and the areas around it from Friday-Sunday.

Thanks for the help!

Wow, you're going in, what, January? Bring very warm clothes...it's the world's coldest capital.

I was there in July for Naadam. All the Nomads Group restaurants were good, with Khaan Ger probably at the top but Modern Nomads and bd's Mongolian Barbeque also good. Bd's is a chain in a few states in the U.S. Silk Road and California also were pretty good, and Marco Polo for pizza. Even the KFC was good inasmuch as they kept things simple and resembled what the place was like in the U.S. in the 1970s. Many of the places are along or near the ends of Seoul Street.

Would imagine that Terelj looks different in the winter. The Tuul Gol river there looks nice.

I've heard UB is not the safest place to walk around at night. Is that the case?

I was there five years ago. There is a great Indian restaurant Hazara http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mongolia...aurants/indian

We were there in the summer and walked around at night. Things may have changed since then.

I know this might sound obvious, but what about Mongolian food? I know it also might not be anything special and I sound spoiled, but like Indian food, not high on my list. Eat it all the time. Korean food, I mean, I'm here, so no need for that.

Know what I mean? Thanks again, everyone.

Also, what about nightlife? Is there anything "trendy" or "scene" there? I'm just curious to see what it could possibly be! I just feel like it will be a drab group of buildings, people huddled up and cold. I really feel like I have no idea what I'm walking into, and I've been many places. But there has to be something!

That's the spirit! I did a bit of walking around at night, but the problem in some areas is with street lighting. Sukhbaatar Square and most of Seoul Street and the first sections of Peace Ave. near the square were generally well-lit, as was the area around the State Department Store. Those are the most central lodging locations (I wasn't able to get 'em because of Naadam, but outside that it's much easier)

There might be a bit of alcohol consumed around the Lunar New Year celebrations, but that's just a guess. It's probably an excuse to ignore cabin fever for a day or two. There are some modern, western-like movie theaters and a few discos. The economy has been doing well of late. The food will reflect lack of diversity in both meats and vegetables (lots of ways to prepare lamb, for example), though at least in UB you have a few other options. Those disappear outside UB.

If there are any culture shows at the concert halls I'd look into it. Saw their national symphony do a great program of western and Mongolian music for 21K tugriks. There's also an Irish-themed place at the end of Seoul Street (the Grand Khaan, I believe) that's a hangout for expats.

Thanks! Do you know if immigration is weird about 2-4 passport pages being open in your book? I know some countries are. I will officially be out of space by then (enough for the stamps, but no extra pages.

My passport expires in 2015 and instead of adding pages, I'll just renew it after this trip. I don't have time now because of my SE Asia trip at Christmas (then a month after that until Mongol)... and it takes "on average" two-three weeks to renew based here in Korea.

Certainly safer than any American city of same size.

But there are quite a bit of drunks about at night

As for restaurants, there is surprisingly great variety of cheap and delicious food in UB (unlike the rest of Mongolia) - for Mongolian, a great extensive menu at Modern Nomads, there is also a great place called Le Bistro, but its expensive, and French.

If you wanna see locals pounding down beers, look no further than the yellow-signed Chingis Club (not to be confused with Chingis Beer Hall). Friendly atmosphere all around.

Wow so many Indian restaurants inn UB ! Went to an indian restaurant in Luoyang CN too ! Unexpected find. these guys get around .

I'm in Ulaan Bataar in late March and early April, maybe ten days for work. I'm not sure how much time I'll have, but I'd love to have some ideas ready for free moments. Restaurant suggestions welcome, but I'm strict vegetarian, so I'm kind of a grocery store/produce stand guy. Thanks. (including "thanks" for ideas already provided)

GK is not a bad hang out. Typically lots of Expats and locals

http://gk-irishpub.mn/

I was amazed to find 15 vegetarian/vegan restaurants on Happy Cow. http://www.happycow.net/asia/mongolia/ulaanbaatar/