THE CURIOUS TALE OF CRYING TIGER: A THAI DISH WITH A ROARING BACKSTORY

If you’ve ever stumbled across Crying Tiger on a Thai menu and paused, wondering what could possibly make a tiger cry, you’re not alone. Known in Thai as Suea Rong Hai (เสือร้องไห้), this beloved grilled beef dish isn’t just a feast for the taste buds, but a story-rich bite of culinary folklore.

Originating in northeastern Thailand (Isaan), Crying Tiger reflects the region’s bold, rustic flavors. The dish typically features marinated grilled beef (often a flavorful, slightly chewy cut like flank or brisket) served thinly sliced with a fiery dipping sauce known as nam jim jaew. The sauce, made with fish sauce, lime juice, ground toasted rice and crushed chili is not for the faint of heart.

But where does the name come from?

As with many iconic dishes, there’s more than one tale behind it.

Tale #1: The Tiger That Couldn’t Chew

One humorous folk explanation says the meat was so tough and chewy, even a tiger – the king of the jungle - would be brought to tears trying to chew it. 

This version likely pokes fun at the traditional use of leaner, sinewy cuts of meat common in rural Thai kitchens where cattle was raised for working the fields and not primarily for beef. If you’ve ever gnawed through an overcooked steak, you might feel a bit of sympathy for the big cat.

Tale #2: So Good, It Makes a Tiger Weep

On the flip side, a more flattering legend says the grilled beef is so tender, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious that a tiger would cry when it realized the meal was over. 

Just imagine: a wild predator, humbled by the last bite, letting out a mournful cry as the final strip of beef disappears from the plate. In this version, the tears are not from struggle, but from longing.

Whichever story you prefer, both reflect a playful Thai tradition of naming dishes with personality and humor. And while modern recipes often use more premium beef and tender cuts, the heart of the dish remains the same: smoky grilled beef, bold seasoning, and a sauce that bites back.

So next time you order Crying Tiger, remember it’s not just a dish. 

It’s a story on a plate. 

One that might just leave you teary-eyed too whether from spice, laughter, or pure joy.

Crying Tiger has been one of Hidden Thaiger’s signature dishes from day one and we use a tender cut of flank steak from Australian grain fed cattle.