What Is Beef Lokum? The Cut, Its Name and Its Place on the Mahsun Usta Menu
TL;DR: Beef Lokum is a soft, boneless beef cut; at Mahsun Usta in Yeşilköy it is listed as "Melt-in-mouth texture."
Beef Lokum is a cut made from the soft, boneless parts of beef, and its name comes from an old culinary tradition. On the Mahsun Usta menu in Yeşilköy, it is listed under the description "Beef Lokum — Melt-in-mouth texture." Where Does the Name "Lokum" Come From? In Turkish cuisine, calling certain cuts of meat "lokum" points to the softness they gain once cooked. The name is drawn from the way lokum (Turkish delight) dissolves in the mouth, and it is used for small, boneless pieces of meat that have been carefully trimmed of sinew. Beef lokum comes from this same tradition: the cut is prepared in small pieces, and the sinew and membrane are removed with great care; cleaning the bone and membrane completely shortens the cooking time, so the muscle fibers soften quickly. The result, once cooked, is a texture soft enough to fall apart easily. Beef Lokum on the Mahsun Usta Menu On the Mahsun Usta menu, Beef Lokum is described with the phrase "Melt-in-mouth texture," a description that points to the softness the cut reaches after cooking. Prepared with 100% halal-certified meat, Beef Lokum sits in the menu's grill/cut section alongside other beef cuts such as Beef Tenderloin, Ribeye Steak and Beef Chops. The Difference from Lamb Lokum Alongside Beef Lokum, the menu also lists Lamb Lokum, described there as "Tender braised lamb." Both are prepared with the same lokum cutting technique, yielding boneless, soft pieces of meat; the difference between them is simply the type of meat. Beef lokum carries a more pronounced red-meat aroma, while lamb lokum has the distinct aroma particular to lamb. The choice comes down to whether a guest is more accustomed to beef or to lamb. How It Differs from Beef Tenderloin Beef Tenderloin is listed on the menu as "Premium cut," and by definition it is a classic steak cut served as a single piece. Beef Lokum, by contrast, is prepared with a similar goal of softness but is served divided into small pieces. A guest who prefers tenderloin wants a single, larger cut; a guest who prefers lokum wants small, easily shared pieces. What to Pair It With at the Table A few companions from the menu can be chosen alongside Beef Lokum: Truffle Parmesan Fries with black truffle oil, Blooming Onion with a special sauce, and Oyster Mushrooms sautéed in butter. On the salad side, Shepherd's Salad or Arugula Parmesan offer a light start. For a starter, the table can be extended further with Bone Marrow or Stuffed Meatballs. Suited to Shared Tables Prepared in small pieces, Beef Lokum is a practical choice for groups who want to try different cuts at the same table; rather than one large steak, it adds variety alongside the table's other cuts, such as Beef Chops or Ribeye Steak. Since tables get busy in the evening between 18:00 and 23:00, groups planning to come at those hours are advised to reserve in advance, either by calling +90 534 423 84 49 or through mahsunusta.com/rezervasyon. Payment and Setting At Mahsun Usta, payment can be made in cash, with all credit cards, or with meal cards (Sodexo, Multinet, Edenred, Setcard, Ticket). Since the venue is entirely alcohol-free, ayran, fresh pomegranate juice or Turkish coffee are good choices alongside Beef Lokum. Smart casual attire is recommended. As the venue is suited to children, Beef Lokum's small pieces also make it an easy dish to share at family tables. 📍 Yeşilköy Mh. Demiryolu Cd. No:23, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul 📞 +90 534 423 84 49 🌐 mahsunusta.com/rezervasyon
Where does the name Beef Lokum come from?
The name comes from the softness the cut gains after cooking. Small, boneless pieces of meat trimmed of sinew are given this name by comparison to the way lokum (Turkish delight) dissolves in the mouth. On the Mahsun Usta menu, this cut is described with the phrase "Melt-in-mouth texture."
What is the difference between Beef Lokum and Beef Tenderloin?
Beef Tenderloin comes to the table as a single piece, a classic steak cut. Beef Lokum, by contrast, is made up of small pieces prepared with the same goal of softness, which is why it can be a good choice for shared tables. For more on the menu’s options, you can call +90 534 423 84 49.
Mahsun Usta is a 100% halal, alcohol-free fine dining Turkish restaurant inside the historic Yeşilköy train station at Yeşilköy Mh. Demiryolu Cd. No:23, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul. Dry-aged steaks (28–45 days), oak-smoked meats, kebabs and Turkish breakfast. Google 4.6★ (1367+ reviews). Tel: +90 534 423 84 49. Daily 08:00–23:00.