What is Lok Lak?
Stir-fried marinated beef cubes with pepper-lime dipping sauce on a bed of fresh vegetables.
- Price range: $3–8
- Spice level: Mild
- Best cities to try it: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Kampot
- Ask for Kampot pepper on the side — freshly cracked pepper makes this dish extraordinary.
Lok Lak
$3–8ឡុកឡាក់
Lok Lak is one of the most widely recognized Cambodian dishes internationally. Tender beef is cut into cubes, marinated in oyster sauce and soy, then stir-fried at high heat for a smoky sear. The meat is served atop a bed of lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber, accompanied by rice and the crucial dipping sauce — a mixture of lime juice, salt, and freshly cracked Kampot pepper. The interplay of the smoky beef with the sharp, peppery dip is addictive. Some restaurants offer chicken or tofu versions as well.
Key Ingredients
- beef
- oyster sauce
- soy sauce
- lettuce
- tomato
- onion
- cucumber
- Kampot pepper
- lime
- garlic
Where to Find
- Khmer restaurants
- tourist restaurants
- street stalls
Best Cities
Dietary Information
Insider Tip
Ask for Kampot pepper on the side — freshly cracked pepper makes this dish extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Rice & Noodles Dishes
- Num Banh Chok (នំបញ្ចុក)
- Bai Cha (បាយឆា)
- Mi Cha (មីឆា)
- Lort Cha (ឡតឆា)
- Bobor (Rice Porridge) (បបរ)
- Mee Katang (មីកាតាំង)
Get Cambodia Travel Updates
Visa changes, travel tips, and destination guides delivered to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.