Neua Naam Tok (Thai Spicy Grilled Beef) is really popular in the shops along the roadside in Bangkok. And normally when Thai people order Som Tum (Papaya Salad), grilled chicken and sticky rice they will also have this dish as well most of the time.
Neua Nam Tok is also known as Thai waterfall beef and is considered a salad in Thai cuisine as it is typically served with vegetables mixed in such as cucumber, tomato and shallots. It is also coated in a sort of vinagrette made from fish sauce and lime juice. The combination of herbs, spices and sauces gives this grilled beef salad a decidedly Thai taste, combining spicy, salty, sweet and sour flavors.
The name waterfall beef comes from the Thai words “Neua” meaning beef and “nam tok” meaning waterfall. Traditionally the beef is cooked over open coals and the juices dripping on the coals are reminiscent of a waterfall, hence the name Waterfall Beef. If you don’t have a grill you can also fry or broil the beef and the dish will still come out tasting wonderful.
Alright now I’m ready to present the Neua Naam Tok recipe for you.
Neua Naam Tok Recipe
(Serves 2-3 people)
- 200-300 grams beef london broil or top round
- 1/4 cup coriander, coarsely sliced
- 1/4 cup spring onion, coarsely sliced
- 1/4 cup mint leaf, coarsely sliced
- 1/4 cup lemon grass, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp Thai chilli powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp roasted Rice Powder
- 3 tbsp Thai Fish Sauce
- 4 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp seasoning powder(Rod Dee) or if you can’t find can use 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Wash the beef and grill over medium heat until medium rare. Slice thinly into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a mixing bowl. Follow with coriander, spring onion, mint leaf, lemon grasses and shallots.
Season to taste with fish sauce, lime juice, seasoning powder(sugar) and chili powder, toss well to combine. Add ground roasted rice and toss lightly again. Arrange on a serving dish and serve with cucumber slices and jasmine rice or sticky rice.
Neua Naam Tok is our first favorite choice when Golf and I crave for spicy food. When she makes this dish for both of us, Golf will always use way more than just 1 TBSP of chili powder and the dish is incredibly hot. If you love spicy food the way we do just add more chili powder to taste and make sure to warn others about the heat if you do!
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Wow, such a simple recipe but looks so yummy! love to try it then!
Yes I’m often surprised at the depth of flavors in some Thai dishes because they often seem so simple. The combination of ingredients and spices is what really makes Thai food so wonderful.