What a whirlwind of a week! The winds have been turned up to full blast, beating at the windows, with temperatures dropping to ice-cold. On days like these, you really need a nice warm, stew or soup to warm yourself up. Well, I’ve got the recipe for you! It’s not stew, but I guarantee it will still put a smile on your dial.
I came across this dish whilst on my trip to Cambodia, where I was just wondering around from cafe to cafe. This was the first time, I tasted beef lok lak served with Kampot pepper & loved it immediately. From there onwards, I had to bring back these new & wonderous flavours of Cambodia.
A Hidden Gem in Cambodia
Beef lok lak, is a popular dish in Cambodia. Originating in Vietnam & influenced by French and Chinese culinary techniques, it is said that the name lok lak was a Cambodian adaption of “lĆŗc lįŗÆc,” which means to ‘shake’ in Vietnamese.
Why you need to try Beef Lok Lak
The tender meats, paired with the crispiness of lettuce infused with the aromas of kampot peppers, works in perfect harmony. Along with the stir-frying process, giving it more taste by providing hints of caramelized & smokiness.
The dish is very popular, with it considered being a regular go to for locals. Even though its roots are based in Vietnam, this dish encapsulates the essence of Cambodian cuisine. Rich in history & flavours, you can taste a bit of Cambodia right at your home.
šHave you tried Beef Lok Lak?
This is now my 5th attempt at making Beef Lok Lak. I actually made some for my ex-colleagues who were Cambodian – Since, then my cooking on the dish has improved a lot. The magic is all in what meat you choose to cook with. Sirloin or wagyu meat (known for the fattiness) are the kinds of meat that pairs well.
Let me know what you think in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more dishes from around the world āļø
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Serves
4
Ingredients
- 500g sirloin steak
- 1 brown onion
Marinade: - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp sweet dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp ground Kampot pepper
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 2 garlic cloves
Stir-fry sauce: - 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- Dipping sauce:
- 3 tbsp lime juice
Steps
1
Collect all necessary ingredients for your meal. Combine the beef with all the marinade, then leave in the fridge for about 1 hour.
2
Combine the stir-fry sauce. Set aside for later.
3
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the beef and spread out in the pan. Heat the beef until it’s starting to char. Add the onions and toss through for a few seconds. Add the stir-fry sauce mixture and toss for another half a minute or until well done. Turn the heat off and allow the beef to rest in the pan for about a minute.
4
Once everything is cooked, Beef Lok Lak serves really well with rice. Have the dipping sauce (lime lemon) along with the beef for a refreshing twist.
