Ul Boov

Name: Ul Boov
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Mongolian
Ingredients: 4 cups flour; 100g butter, softened; 3 eggs; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup warm milk; 1/2 tsp salt; Vegetable oil for frying

Ул боов (OOL BOHV)

Shoe Sole Cake

⏱ Prep Time 2 hours

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 281 kcal

Elongated fried pastry shaped like a shoe sole, stacked in elaborate towers during Tsagaan Sar. Mildly sweet and firm, designed for display and snacking.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 5.0g

Carbs 36.0g

Fat 13.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

deep fryer or pot rolling pin decorative stamp or fork

Presentation Guide

Vessel: ceremonial plate with tower arrangement

Garnishes: aaruul, wrapped candy

Accompaniments: suutei tsai

Ingredients

4 cups flour
100g butter, softened
3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 tsp salt
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add warm milk.
2
Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a firm smooth dough forms. Rest 30 minutes.
3
Roll dough to 1.5cm thickness. Cut into elongated oval shapes about 15cm long.
4
Stamp decorative patterns on each piece using a fork or traditional stamp.
5
Fry at 150C until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Low temperature ensures even cooking without burning.
6
Cool completely. Stack in odd-numbered layers (3,5,7 or 9) with aaruul and candy between layers.

💡

Did You Know?

The number of layers in an ul boov tower indicates the family's age and status: elders get taller towers with more layers.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

deep fryer or pot
rolling pin
decorative stamp or fork

Garnishing

aaruul, wrapped candy

Accompaniments

suutei tsai

The Story Behind Ul Boov

Ul boov is the ceremonial centerpiece of Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year. Families spend days preparing these shoe-sole shaped pastries, which are stacked in towers called idee. The tradition dates back centuries and carries deep symbolic meaning. The number of layers must always be odd: young families stack 3 layers, middle-aged families 5 or 7, and the eldest 9. The tower remains on display throughout the holiday as guests visit, symbolizing the family's respect for tradition and prosperity.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed tsagaan sar (lunar new year) 📜 Origins: Ancient Mongolian

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