Mongolian Barbeque, Ribe

Asian flavours beside Ribe’s old streets

Mongolian Barbeque sits a short stroll from Ribe’s cobbled centre, offering a burst of Asian colour and steam amid red-brick Danish buildings. Inside, the space feels informal and welcoming, with polished wooden tables, practical tiled floors and simple décor that puts the focus firmly on food rather than ceremony. Large front windows draw in evening light in summer, while in winter the glow from the buffet counters and grill becomes the main attraction. The restaurant follows the classic Asian buffet model, with long chilled counters running the length of the room. Stainless-steel trays hold neat rows of vegetables, noodles and rice, alongside marinated meats and seafood packed on ice. The set-up is designed for browsing at your own pace, plate in hand, making it easy for mixed groups and families to eat together without fuss.

Build-your-own bowl and sizzling show cooking

The signature experience here is the do‑it‑yourself “Mongolian” grill. You choose your own ingredients – perhaps thin slices of beef or chicken, a handful of prawns, crunchy peppers, onion, bean sprouts and bamboo shoots – then finish with ladles of soy‑based sauces, garlic, chilli or sweet-and-sour mixes. Once your plate is piled, you carry it to the open grill where chefs turn raw ingredients into a steaming stir‑fry in minutes. The grill itself is the heart of the room: a wide hotplate or line of roaring woks where metal spatulas clack, flames leap briefly and clouds of savoury steam rise. The performance element is as important as the cooking, especially for children who can watch “their” dinner being tossed and turned in front of them. Because each bowl is custom-made, it is easy to keep a dish mild or dial up the spice, avoid certain ingredients or stick to seafood or vegetables.

Buffet abundance and flexible dining

Beyond the custom grill, Mongolian Barbeque typically offers a spread of ready‑made hot dishes inspired by Chinese and broader Asian cooking. You might find crispy spring rolls, fried rice, stir‑fried vegetables, sweet‑and‑sour meats or noodle dishes kept warm in shining chafing trays. A salad bar and simple desserts or ice cream often round off the selection, making the format particularly convenient for groups with different appetites. The all‑you‑can‑eat structure encourages leisurely dining. Most guests settle in for the evening, returning to the counters several times to tweak their combinations. For visitors exploring Ribe, it can be a satisfying way to refuel after a day among Viking history and the cathedral, with a predictable price and no need to study a long à la carte menu or worry about hidden extras.

Casual atmosphere in Denmark’s oldest town

Although the restaurant’s flavours come from afar, the pace is distinctly Danish and unhurried. Tables are spaced to suit both couples and larger groups, and the uncomplicated interior makes it easy to focus on conversation. The hum of families, the clatter from the grill and the gentle background music combine into an easygoing soundscape. Being in Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark, adds a layer of contrast: you step from centuries‑old streets into a modern, buffet‑style Asian restaurant. It is a reminder of how global influences have settled comfortably into this historic corner of Jutland, offering an alternative to classic Nordic cooking without feeling out of place.

Practical details for an evening meal

Mongolian Barbeque operates almost exclusively in the evening, generally opening around 17:00 and closing by 21:00 on most days, with slightly later hours on busy Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations are common at peak times, especially at weekends and during holiday periods, as most diners arrive within the same early‑evening window. The restaurant’s moderate pricing sits between budget takeaways and high‑end dining, making it accessible for families, students and travelers watching costs while still wanting a sit‑down meal. With its self‑service layout, clear counters and straightforward routines, it suits those who like to see exactly what goes onto their plate, whether they are adventurous eaters or prefer to keep things reassuringly familiar.