A steak (from the Old Norse steik, “roast”) is a piece of meat, usually beef. Most steaks are cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers, improving the tenderness of the meat. In North America, are usually served grilled steaks, but they are also often pan fried.

Since steaks are quickly cooked with dry heat, and served whole, the most tender cuts of the animal are usually for steak. This also means that steaks have a premium price and perception, the idea of eating steak is a signifier of relative prosperity. For people from Asia, steak is considered one of the quintessential dishes of Western cuisine.