Head Cheek
Head — cheek/jaw muscles and facial meat
The cheek muscles and facial meat of the beef head, heavily worked and rich in collagen. Slow-braised to become extraordinarily tender — the basis of Mexican barbacoa, Meghalayan dohkhlieh (a head-meat salad), and upscale bistro 'joue de boeuf.' The head is typically steamed or braised whole then the meat stripped and dressed.
Regional Names — 50 countries
| Country | Local Name | Conf. | Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | kalla | ● | |
| Argentina | cabeza | ◑ | |
| Armenia | glukh | ● | |
| Azerbaijan | kəllə | ● | |
| Bolivia | cabeza | ● | |
| Brazil | bochecha | ● | |
| Chile | cabeza | ◑ | |
| China | niútóuròu | ● | |
| Colombia | cabeza | ● | |
| Czech Republic | hovězí líčka | ● | |
| Ecuador | cabeza | ● | |
| Egypt | ra's | ● | |
| Ethiopia | ras | ● | |
| France | joue de bœuf tête de veau is veal not beef | ● | |
| Georgia | tavi | ● | |
| Germany | Ochsenbacke | ● | |
| Greece | kefáli | ● | |
| Hungary | pofa | ● | |
| India | siri | ● | |
| Indonesia | kepala sapi | ● | |
| Iran | kalleh | ● | |
| Israel | rosh | ● | |
| Italy | guancia di manzo | ● | |
| Japan | tsurami | ● | |
| Kazakhstan | bas | ● | |
| Kyrgyzstan | bash | ● | |
| Lebanon / Levant | ra's | ● | |
| Mexico | cabeza | ● | |
| Mongolia | tolgoi | ● | |
| Morocco | ras | ● | |
| Nigeria | head meat | ● | |
| Pakistan | siri | ● | |
| Peru | cabeza | ◑ | |
| Philippines | ulo ng baka | ● | |
| Poland | głowizna | ● | |
| Portugal | bochechas | ● | |
| Russia | golova | ● | |
| Saudi Arabia | ra's | ● | |
| Senegal | tete de boeuf | ● | |
| South Africa | head meat | ● | |
| South Korea | meorigogi | ◑ | |
| Spain | carrillera | ● | |
| Tajikistan | kalla | ● | |
| Thailand | kaem wua | ◑ | |
| Turkey | kelle | ● | |
| Ukraine | holova | ● | |
| United Kingdom | ox cheek | ● | |
| Uruguay | cabeza | ◑ | |
| Uzbekistan | kalla | ● | |
| Vietnam | má bò | ◑ |
Regional names reflect documented butcher and market terminology. Confidence indicators reflect research quality, not cultural importance.
See also
Head Cheek in the main cut translator →
Tradition: Northeast India Whole-Animal Beef Tradition →
Tradition: Ethiopian Slaughter-Day Tradition →
Tradition: Quinto Quarto Romano →
Tradition: Orishirishi — Nigerian Assorted Meat →
Tradition: Greek Easter Offal Tradition →
Tradition: Fritanga Colombiana →