From Japan to Argentina to the US, nations around the world have put their own stamp on the mouthwatering meat – making beef a destination in itself.
People around the world enjoy steak, and a few countries even claim it as their national dish. But can any culture truly claim this primal meal as their own?
Not when you consider the long history of beef. Cave paintings depict hunts of early bovines, and archaeological evidence suggests that peoples living near Stonehenge ate cattle as early as 2500 BC.
But consumption of beef on a grand scale is relatively new. As meat became easier to transport and refrigerate in the 19th Century, chic Parisian bistros and lavish American steakhouses put steaks front and centre, equating steak with prosperity.
Today, from slow-cooked asado in Argentina to meticulously marbled Wagyu beef in Japan, countries around the world have put their own distinct stamp on the meal and folded it into their identities.
Here are six nations where steak is a destination in itself.
The most important ingredient for an asado is a good vibe
Argentina
Beef was introduced to Argentina by Spanish colonists in the 16th Century, who released cattle onto the fertile Pampas grasslands. Gauchos (cowboys) created parrillas: makeshift grills with metal grates. The technique of slow-roasting meat over low heat became known as asado, and alongside the indelible association of gauchos with Argentine culture, a source of national pride.
Travel tip:
Asados feature endless options, so keep it simple and order the parrillada – a mixed grill that includes chorizo, kidney, ribs, flank steak and more.
Argentines generally roast their meat well-done, so if you’d rather a juicier cut, ask for bien jugoso (rare), jugoso (medium) or apunto (medium-well).
“Steak is part of our idiosyncrasy, it’s so beautiful and very important,” says world-renowned Argentine chef and author Francis Mallmann. “No matter if we have a tenderloin or an incredible ribeye or just a little scrap of the edge of the leg, the idea is to be together and to talk about politics, about football, about happiness, about friendship.”
READ MORE ON THE NEXT PAGE..
