Rendang is a traditional Indonesian beef dish from West Sumatra that uses coconut milk, beef, chilies, turmeric, and lime leaves. In Minangkabau culture, the ingredients in rendang represent important societal symbols - beef represents tribal leaders, coconut represents intellect, chilies represent religious scholars, and spices represent society. Rendang has spread to many other countries in Asia and gained influences from other cuisines, though the basic version using beef and coconut milk remains.