Brand Story

Why “Mongolian Grill”? The Story Behind the Name and the Grill

August 27, 2026

A chef stir-frying a bowl on the large round grill at BD's Mongolian Grill

A style, not a strict cuisine

“Mongolian grill” (or Mongolian barbecue) describes an interactive, made-to-order stir-fry style: guests assemble raw ingredients and a cook sears everything fast on a large, round, high-heat griddle. Despite the name, the format is a modern, Asian-fusion invention rather than traditional Mongolian cooking — and it’s built for customization.

That’s the format BD’s has championed since 1992.

Why the big round grill matters

The signature griddle runs hot and open, so ingredients sear quickly and keep their texture and color. It’s also part of the experience — you can watch your bowl come together in the open kitchen.

The result is a fresh, fast, flavorful bowl that’s exactly what you built.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Mongolian grill?

It's an interactive stir-fry format where guests build a bowl of raw ingredients and a chef sears it on a large, round, high-heat grill. It's an Asian-fusion style rather than traditional Mongolian cooking.

Is BD's food spicy?

Only if you want it to be. You control the sauces and spices when you build your bowl, so you can keep it mild or turn up the heat.

Does BD's use fresh ingredients?

Yes — the fresh market bar features hand-chopped vegetables and premium proteins, cooked to order on the grill.

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