Mongolian Beef:
A Chinese-American Classic
with Taiwanese Roots
Mongolian Beef is a classic of Chinese-American takeout — thin slices of beef stir-fried until tender, then coated in a savory soy-based sauce that clings to every bite. Fresh scallions add a mild pungency, weaving a gentle onion bite through the rich sauce. The sauce itself balances salty, garlicky, and gingery depth with a touch of sweetness, creating that signature glossy glaze.
Despite its name, Mongolian Beef has no connection to Mongolia. It was born in Taipei in the 1950s, when “Mongolian barbecue” was invented as a catchy, exotic-sounding style of stir-fry cooked on large griddles. The dish itself is simple, approachable, and endlessly satisfying — the kind of quick wok dinner that’s even better made at home than it is in a takeout box.