Mongolian beef is among the meat dishes developed in Taiwan where Mongolian barbecue restaurants first appeared.[3] Thus,none of the ingredients or the preparation methods are drawn from traditional Mongolian cuisine but rather from Chinese cuisine.[4] A variation is known as Mongolian lamb which substitutes lamb for the beef in the dish.
History and Origin
Mongolian beef originated in Taiwan during the 1950s,where it was invented at Mongolian barbecue restaurants. The concept of Mongolian barbecue was created by Wu Zhaonan,a Taiwanese comedian and restaurateur originally from Beijing. After fleeing to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War,Wu opened a street food stall in Yingqiao,Taipei,in 1951. He initially wanted to name his cooking style "Beijing barbecue",but due to political sensitivities,he instead chose "Mongolian barbecue",despite having no connection to Mongolia.[5][6] It is also believed to be chosen for marketing purposes to cultivate an exotic appeal around his establishment.[1]
Mongolian barbecue restaurants allows diners to select raw meats,vegetables,and sauces,which were then stir-fried together on a large,flat-top grill. This style reflect Chinese-style beef stir-fries,which emphasize tender cuts and bold savory-sweet sauces,and also draws inspiration from Japanese teppanyaki. One of the most popular combinations was sliced beef stir-fried with soy sauce,garlic,ginger,and brown sugar,which eventually became known as "Mongolian beef". After being introduced to the United States,the dish became a staple of Chinese-American cuisine,typically served with steamed rice or crispy fried glass noodles.[7][8]
Despite its name,Mongolian beef shares little with traditional Mongolian cuisine,which primarily features meat,dairy,and root vegetables. Traditional dishes like borts (dried meat),dumplings,and hearty stews rely on minimal seasonings and preservation methods suited to Mongolia’s harsh climate. Unlike Mongolian beef,typical Mongolian cuisine does not use soy-based sauces or stir-frying methods over high temperatures,which are hallmarks of Chinese cooking.[1][8]
↑ Katie Workman (10 October 2017), "Mongolian Beef", Flathead Beacon, Kalispell, Montana, archived from the original on 10 October 2017, retrieved 7 May 2018
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