In the Western Visayas, bistek tagalog is known as karne frita (also spelled carne frita, literally "fried meat" in Spanish), not to be confused with the breaded cutlet (milanesa), which is also called carne frita in the Philippines. It is cooked identically to the Tagalog version, but differs in that it is always cooked with sugar.[4][5]
Variations
A modern version of bistek is bistek na baboy ("pork bistek"; bistig babi in Kapampangan), in which pork—pork chops or pork belly slices—is used instead of beef. Other modern versions can also use slices of chicken or filleted fish.[3]
Vegan versions can also substitute beef with tofu.[6]
Similar dishes
Bistec encebollado is a similar dish found throughout other Spanish-speaking countries. It differs from bistek tagalog in that it does not use soy sauce or citrus juices, but uses vinegar and various local herbs and ingredients instead. Other similar dishes include the bistec de Palomilla of Cuba, bistec a caballo of Colombia, and the bistec ranchero of Mexico.[7]
In the Marianas Islands, Bistek is prepared similarly to Filipino Bistek, but is often made with vinegar instead of citrus juice. Achiote is also added and is typically served with peas.[8]
^Jeeca Uy (2021). Vegan Asian: A Cookbook: The Best Dishes from Thailand, Japan, China and More Made Simple. Page Street Publishing. ISBN9781645672814.
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