Collection
Asian Beef & Lamb Recipes
A tour of Asia through beef & lamb: 69 authentic dishes, each tied to a real country and region, each with its cultural story and dietary swaps built in.
69 recipes
BibimbapSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · medium · 55 minA bowl of rice crowned with seasoned vegetables, beef, and a fried egg, all mixed with gochujang at the table.
Uzbek PlovTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 95 minSilk Road rice cooked in one kazan with lamb, mountains of carrots, cumin, and whole garlic heads.
Ghormeh SabziTehran, Iran · medium · 150 minIran’s beloved herb stew: mountains of sautéed greens, kidney beans, dried limes, and lamb over saffron rice.
Taiwanese Beef Noodle SoupTaipei, Taiwan · medium · 175 minChewy wheat noodles in a dark, star-anise beef broth with melting shank and pickled mustard greens.
Khuushuur (Fried Meat Pastry)Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 65 minCrisp deep-fried half-moon pastries filled with minced mutton, onion, and garlic, the taste of the Naadam festival.
TsuivanUlaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 60 minSteppe-style fried noodles steamed over a mutton and vegetable braise, Mongolia’s one-pan answer to a cold night.
BeshbarmakAlmaty, Kazakhstan · medium · 150 min"Five fingers": boiled meat over wide noodle sheets with onion gravy, Kazakhstan’s dish of honor, eaten by hand.
LahmacunGaziantep, Turkey · medium · 50 minPaper-thin flatbread blistered under a spiced lamb, pepper, and parsley crust, rolled with lemon and herbs.
Shuwa (Home-Oven Version)Muscat, Oman · medium · 265 minLamb rubbed with date-dark Omani spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and roasted low until it falls apart, Eid on a platter.
Iraqi DolmaBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 135 minVine leaves and vegetables stuffed with tomato-and-pomegranate rice, packed tight and steamed until sweet-sour and tender.
Bún Bò HuếHuế (Central), Vietnam · medium · 145 minThe imperial city’s fierce beef-and-lemongrass noodle soup, spiked with chili oil and shrimp paste, bolder than pho.
SaltahSana’a, Yemen · medium · 65 minA bubbling stone-pot stew crowned with whipped fenugreek froth (hulba) and fiery green sahawiq, Yemen’s national dish.
Massaman CurrySouthern Thailand, Thailand · medium · 95 minA mild, aromatic curry of beef, potatoes, and peanuts scented with cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, Thailand’s gentlest, most fragrant curry.
Beef RendangWest Sumatra, Indonesia · advanced · 240 minBeef simmered for hours in coconut milk and spice paste until the liquid vanishes and the meat turns dark, dry, and intense.
BulgogiSeoul (Gyeonggi), South Korea · easy · 40 minThin beef marinated in soy, pear, sesame, and garlic, seared fast and sweet-savory, Korea’s beloved "fire meat."
MantiKayseri, Turkey · advanced · 90 minTiny hand-pinched meat dumplings under garlic yogurt and paprika-mint butter, Kayseri’s legendary labor of love.
LagmanBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · advanced · 80 minHand-pulled noodles topped with a stir-fried stew of beef, peppers, and tomatoes in a savory sauce.
DogramaAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 130 minHand-crumbled flatbread and boiled meat with onion, moistened with rich broth, Turkmenistan's dish of celebration.
Pyongyang NaengmyeonPyongyang, North Korea · advanced · 160 minChewy buckwheat noodles in an icy, clear beef-and-radish broth, topped with pear, egg, and pickles.
Or LamLuang Prabang, Laos · medium · 75 minA Luang Prabang herb stew of meat and vegetables thickened with sticky rice and buzzed with peppery sakhan vine.
Kabuli PulaoKabul, Afghanistan · advanced · 120 minAfghanistan's national dish: steamed rice piled over lamb and crowned with candied carrots and raisins.
KibbehDamascus, Syria · advanced · 70 minTorpedo-shaped bulgur shells stuffed with spiced meat and pine nuts, fried until crisp.
Emirati SalonaDubai, United Arab Emirates · easy · 75 minA tangy Emirati stew of meat or fish and vegetables in a spiced tomato-and-dried-lime broth.
PitiBaku, Azerbaijan · medium · 175 minA slow-baked crock stew of lamb, chickpeas, and chestnuts scented with saffron and dried plum.
KhinkaliImereti, Georgia · medium · 60 minTwisted soup dumplings filled with spiced meat and hot broth, eaten by hand, a proud Georgian mountain dish.
Adana KebapGaziantep, Turkey · medium · 45 minHand-minced spiced lamb pressed onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, served with flatbread and sumac onions.
Chapli KababLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · easy · 40 minFlat, spiced minced-beef patties studded with tomato and pomegranate, shallow-fried crisp, a Khyber specialty.
SamsaTashkent, Uzbekistan · medium · 70 minFlaky baked pastries filled with spiced lamb and onion, blistered golden in a tandoor, a Silk Road staple.
MansafAmman, Jordan · medium · 150 minLamb cooked in a tangy fermented-yogurt sauce over rice and flatbread, Jordan's national dish of hospitality.
Chelo Kabab KoobidehTehran, Iran · medium · 50 minGrilled skewers of seasoned minced meat with saffron buttered rice and grilled tomato, Iran's national dish.
MantuKabul, Afghanistan · advanced · 90 minSteamed dumplings of spiced beef and onion topped with garlicky yogurt and a lentil-tomato sauce, an Afghan favorite.
BuuzUlaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 65 minJuicy steamed dumplings of minced mutton and onion, the dumpling Mongolia eats by the dozen, above all at Tsagaan Sar.
KuyrdakAlmaty, Kazakhstan · easy · 55 minA hearty fry-up of meat, potato, and onion, the celebratory dish traditionally made when an animal is freshly butchered.
MandiSana’a, Yemen · medium · 115 minSmoky spiced rice and tender meat traditionally cooked in an underground oven, a celebrated dish of Yemen and the Gulf.
MutabbaqRiyadh, Saudi Arabia · medium · 50 minA thin folded pastry stuffed with spiced minced meat and egg, griddled crisp, a favorite Saudi street snack.
Emirati ThareedDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 100 minA spiced meat-and-vegetable stew ladled over thin crisp regag bread, a comforting Emirati dish, especially in Ramadan.
OromoBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · medium · 90 minA rolled, spiraled steamed dumpling of thin dough layered with meat, potato, and pumpkin, a hearty Kyrgyz favorite.
GhooziManama, Bahrain · medium · 180 minSpiced rice crowned with tender roasted lamb, fried nuts, and raisins, a grand Bahraini and Gulf celebration platter.
MastavaDushanbe, Tajikistan · easy · 70 minA hearty rice soup with meat, chickpeas, and vegetables, brightened with herbs and a spoon of yogurt, a Tajik staple.
IchlekliAshgabat, Turkmenistan · medium · 85 minA large baked pastry pie filled with spiced meat, onion, and potato, a rustic Turkmen specialty for gatherings.
Turkmen Shashlyk (Çişlik)Ashgabat, Turkmenistan · easy · 50 minCubes of lamb marinated overnight with onion and vinegar, threaded onto skewers, grilled over coals, and finished with a pour of melted butter.
Beef Lok LakSiem Reap, Cambodia · easy · 30 minCubes of marinated beef seared hard and shaken in the pan, piled on crisp lettuce and tomato with a tangy Kampot pepper and lime dipping sauce.
NihariLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · advanced · 270 minA dawn stew of beef shank and marrow slow-cooked in a dozen spices until the gravy turns silky, brightened with ginger, chilli and lemon.
HaleemLahore (Punjab), Pakistan · advanced · 240 minA thick, slow-pounded porridge of shredded beef, wheat, barley and lentils, crowned with crisp fried onions, ginger and lemon.
Guriltai Shul (Mutton Noodle Soup)Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia · medium · 105 minA hearty Mongolian soup of fatty mutton and thick hand-cut wheat noodles in a peppery broth with onion and root vegetables.
Shurpa (Lamb and Vegetable Soup)Tashkent, Uzbekistan · easy · 140 minA slow-simmered Uzbek soup of bone-in lamb and large chunks of vegetables in a clear golden broth, finished with dill and cilantro.
Dimlama (Layered Steamed Stew)Tashkent, Uzbekistan · easy · 210 minAn Uzbek one-pot stew of meat and vegetables layered in a sealed pot and cooked in their own steam and juices until everything is meltingly tender.
Chapli Kebab (Spiced Flat Beef Patty)Kabul, Afghanistan · medium · 50 minA flat, disc-shaped Pashtun patty of coarsely minced beef packed with coarsely crushed coriander, pomegranate seeds, chilli, and tomato, shallow-fried crisp at the edges.
LahmajounYerevan, Armenia · medium · 52 minPaper-thin Armenian flatbread spread with a bright, spiced lamb and pepper paste, baked crisp and eaten with lemon.
Sini MantiYerevan, Armenia · advanced · 100 minTiny open Armenian dumplings baked crisp, then bathed in a tomato broth and topped with garlic yogurt and sumac.
Shah PlovBaku, Azerbaijan · advanced · 115 minThe crown pilaf of Azerbaijan: saffron rice, meat and dried fruit sealed in a buttered lavash crust and baked golden.
Tepsi BaytinijanBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 90 minAn Iraqi tray bake of fried eggplant, potato, tomato and spiced meatballs braised together in a tangy tomato sauce.
Iraqi QuziBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 210 minThe Iraqi feast dish: spice-braised then roasted lamb piled on saffron rice and showered with toasted nuts and raisins.
SumagiyyaWest Bank, Palestine · medium · 120 minThe signature Gazan stew: beef, chard and chickpeas thickened with sumac-steeped water and tahini, spiked with dill and chili.
Kuwaiti MargoogKuwait City, Kuwait · medium · 105 minA hearty Kuwaiti one-pot of lamb and vegetables with sheets of hand-rolled dough torn straight into the spiced broth.
GaboutKuwait City, Kuwait · advanced · 105 minKuwaiti stuffed dough dumplings filled with spiced lamb, simmered in a golden saffron and dried-lime broth with vegetables.
Qatari ThareedDoha, Qatar · medium · 100 minA Qatari lamb and vegetable stew ladled over torn regag bread so the thin flatbread soaks up the spiced broth.
Emirati HareesDubai, United Arab Emirates · medium · 230 minAn Emirati dish of whole wheat and lamb simmered for hours and beaten to a smooth savoury porridge, finished with ghee.
MishkakMuscat, Oman · easy · 45 minOman favourite street food: cubes of meat in a tangy tamarind and spice marinade, skewered and grilled over charcoal.
FahsaSana’a, Yemen · medium · 180 minA bubbling Yemeni lamb stew served in a hot stone pot and crowned with hilbeh, whipped fenugreek foam, with hawaij spice.
ZurbianSana’a, Yemen · advanced · 150 minA Yemeni celebration biryani: saffron rice layered with yogurt-marinated lamb and potatoes, finished over low heat.
Shish BarakDamascus, Syria · advanced · 105 minLittle Syrian meat dumplings baked then simmered in a warm, garlicky cooked-yogurt sauce, finished with fried garlic and pine nuts.
Kazakh MantiAlmaty, Kazakhstan · advanced · 105 minLarge Kazakh steamed dumplings filled with hand-chopped lamb, pumpkin and plenty of onion, served with sour cream.
Kazakh PlovAlmaty, Kazakhstan · medium · 95 minThe Kazakh celebration pilaf: rice cooked over lamb, sweet carrots and onion in a cauldron until every grain is separate and rich.
KuurdakBishkek, Kyrgyzstan · easy · 55 minOne of Central Asia oldest dishes: chunks of meat fried in their own fat with onion and potato until browned and crisp.
Oshi PalavDushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 100 minTajikistan national dish and king of meals: rice steamed over lamb, yellow carrots, chickpeas and cumin in a single pot.
Tajik SambusaDushanbe, Tajikistan · medium · 70 minFlaky Tajik pastry triangles filled with spiced minced meat and onion, sprinkled with sesame and baked golden.
Pyongyang MandugukPyongyang, North Korea · advanced · 150 minA clear northern Korean dumpling soup: hand-folded mandu of beef and tofu simmered in a light, restrained beef broth.
Bruneian Beef RendangBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · advanced · 210 minA Bruneian dry curry of beef slow-simmered in coconut milk and a lemongrass spice paste until dark, tender and richly reduced.
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