4 min read ·
Lok Lak: Cambodia's signature stir-fried beef
Lok lak is one of the best-known dishes of Khmer cuisine: stir-fried beef with a pepper and lime dipping sauce. Origins, flavours and how to enjoy it.
A great classic of Khmer cuisine
Lok lak is a dish of stir-fried beef pieces, served on a bed of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber, with rice. You will find it in many homes and restaurants in Cambodia, where it is loved for its simplicity and generosity.
Its name evokes the gesture of shaking the meat in the pan. Quick cooking over high heat gives meat that is golden outside and tender inside.
The sauce, the key to the dish
Lok lak traditionally comes with a small bowl of salt, pepper and lime juice. Each piece of meat is dipped in it: the pepper brings character, the lime brings freshness.
The beef is marinated with soy sauce, garlic and a little sugar, which gives a lovely caramelisation as it cooks.
How to enjoy it
Combine lettuce, meat and rice in a single bite, then dip it in the lime and pepper sauce. A fried egg on top of the rice is a common variation.
At Déli Bowl, Chef Vuthy UN, who is originally from Cambodia, offers his own version of lok lak, which you can find on our menu.