Authentic Crying Tiger Recipe: Grilled Steak with Dry Chili Dipping Sauce

The Crying Tiger is a classic Thai dish that has gained popularity worldwide for its unique flavor and aroma. This recipe focuses on the authentic version of the dish, which is grilled steak served with a dry chili dipping sauce, also known as Jaew.

The smoky aroma achieved from grilling is what makes this version special, far superior to deep-fried or sautéed renditions of Crying Tiger. Serving the steak with the dry chili dipping sauce on the side retains the steak's smoky aroma and flavors. Using the piquant Jaew as a dipping sauce instead of a dressing also allows its clean, crisp flavor to shine.

The origin of the name "Crying Tiger" is unclear, with various theories suggesting that it is named after a cheap cut of beef that is tough to chew, a tender cut of beef that leaves a tiger with nothing but the tough parts, or a dipping sauce that is so hot it makes a tiger cry. Regardless of its true meaning, the dish is a delicious combination of grilled steak and spicy dipping sauce.

In some Thai restaurants, the Crying Tiger is reinterpreted as a grilled beef salad, which loses the smoky grill aroma that makes the dish special. However, even in this version, the dish is still better than when the beef is deep-fried or sautéed instead of grilled.

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

### Ingredients

Steak:

| Ingredient | Quantity | | --- | --- | | Dark soy sauce | 2 tablespoons (30 ml) | | Oyster sauce | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) | | Brown sugar | 1 tablespoon (14 g) | | Vegetable oil | 1 tablespoon (15 ml) | | Rib eye or New York strip steaks | 4, about 1 1/2-inches thick (about 12 ounces or 342 g each) |

Dry Chile Dipping Sauce (Jaew):

| Ingredient | Quantity | | --- | --- | | Fresh lime juice | 1/2 cup (120 ml) | | Thai fish sauce | 1/2 cup (120 ml) | | Sugar | 1 teaspoon (4 g) | | Fresh cilantro leaves | 2 tablespoons (8 g) | | Green onions | 2 tablespoons (11 g) | | Toasted rice powder | 1 1/2 tablespoons (12 g) | | Dried red pepper powder | 1 tablespoon (8 g) | | Plum tomatoes (optional) | 2 |

For Serving:

| Ingredient | Quantity | | --- | --- | | Warm sticky rice | |

To prepare the dish, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and vegetable oil in a medium mixing bowl. Coat the steaks with the soy sauce mixture and let them marinate while you work on the dipping sauce. Combine all ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small bowl and mix. If using, peel and deseed the tomatoes, chop the pulp finely, and add it to the prepared dipping sauce.

Light one chimney full of charcoal and grill the steaks, turning frequently, until desired doneness is reached (medium-rare is recommended). Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut the steaks into 1/4-inch slices and serve with the dipping sauce. Warm sticky rice on the side is highly recommended.

The Crying Tiger is a dish that is well-suited for grilling, and any cut of beef that is well-suited for grilling will work for this recipe. Rib eye and New York strip are recommended.

Enjoy this delicious and authentic Crying Tiger recipe, and discover the unique flavor and aroma of this classic Thai dish.