Shaking beef facts for kids
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| Alternative names | beef lok lak |
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| Place of origin | French Indochina |
| Region or state | Vietnam |
| Associated national cuisine | Vietnamese and Cambodian |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | beef, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pepper, and soy sauce. |
Shaking beef is a super tasty dish from Vietnam. It's also known as bò lúc lắc in Vietnamese, which means "shaking beef." In Cambodia, it's called beef lok lak. This dish gets its name because the beef cubes are quickly cooked, or "shaken," in a hot pan.
It's a popular meal that mixes flavors from French cooking with traditional Vietnamese ingredients.
Contents
What is Shaking Beef?
Shaking beef is made with small cubes of beef. These beef cubes are cooked quickly with fresh vegetables. You'll often find it served with cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. A special sauce, often made with soy sauce and pepper, gives it a great flavor.
The beef is cut into small pieces, about the size of dice. This makes it easy to cook fast and eat. Long ago, beef was a very special food. So, this dish was mostly served at big parties like weddings. But now, it's a common and much-loved meal that people enjoy every day.
Where Does Shaking Beef Come From?
This yummy dish has roots in French Indochina. This was a time when France had colonies in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Cambodia. French cooking styles mixed with local ingredients and traditions. This blend created many new and exciting dishes, like Shaking Beef.
Before the French arrived, cows were mainly used for farm work in Vietnam. They were not usually eaten. But with French influence, beef became a part of the local food culture.
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Shaking Beef in Cambodia
In Cambodia, this dish is called beef lok lak. Many people think it's one of Cambodia's national dishes. It might have become popular in Cambodia a long time ago. This could have happened when Vietnam had a stronger influence on Cambodia in the 1800s. It also could have spread during the time of French Indochina.
Different Ways to Make Lok Lak
There are a few ways to make lok lak. The original recipe often uses high-quality steak cooked with French butter. This shows its French history.
However, there's also a simpler version. This version was influenced by Chinese cooking. It uses less expensive cuts of beef and a sauce made with Chinese oyster sauce. Both versions are delicious and enjoyed by many!
