With a labyrinth of cultures represented in every nook and cranny of town, Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America. To celebrate this world-class melting pot, we’ll be exploring a new region of the globe through a Houston lens each week, from annual festivals and museums to restaurants and cultural experiences. Join the journey with our Around the World in Houston series.
This week, we’ll be exploring Mongolia, from Tsagaan Sar traditions to Mongolian hot pot.
Annual Festivals & Cultural Events
- AsiaFest – Held in the spring, AsiaFest celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage through community performances, fusion cuisine, creative activities, art and vendors, and cultural exhibitions.
Museums & Cultural Organizations
- Asia Society Texas Center – The Asia Society Texas Center focuses on enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach. Look out for a lineup of programs and activities, including film festivals, family days, culture camps, student programs, art exhibitions and more. The organization hosts Lunar New Year and family day celebrations, which includes the chance to create Mongolian Tsagaan Sar Camel Decorations.
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Association – Formed in 1992 and serving the Greater Houston area and beyond, this heritage association strives to promote awareness and increase understanding of the Asian/Pacific American culture and its diversity through education and celebration. The group focuses on May, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and continues with programs, events, and educational opportunities throughout the year.
- Arts of Asia at MFAH – The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston hosts an Arts of Asia collection spanning nearly five millennia and encompassing cultures across the continent.
Mongolian Food & Drink
- Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot – With locations on Westheimer and Bellaire, this hot pot stop makes its 8-hour soup broth daily. The broth, offered in original, spicy, and half-and-half, works as the base for cooking your meal, with fillings from lamb shoulder, pork, and fish balls to handmade noodle, pea sprouts, and enoki mushroom. The tradition of hot pot is said to date back thousands of years to a time when Mongol horsemen used overturned helmets to simmer water and meat.
- Hot Pot City – Hit this Asiatown haunt hot pots in combos like surf and turf, tofu mushroom, and meat lovers.
