Authentic Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)
Authentic Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)
Ingredients
For the Char Siu
- 500 g pork shoulder, sliced into strips
For the Marinade
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- 2 tablespoons maltose
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
For the Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon maltose
Instructions
- 1
Slice the 500g of pork shoulder into strips, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick and 6-8 inches long.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon of five-spice powder, 2 tablespoons of maltose, and the optional 1/2 teaspoon of red food coloring.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the pork strips to the marinade and mix thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and marinate the pork in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight for best flavor.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the marinated pork strips on the baking rack, ensuring they are not overlapping.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 200
- 5
Bake the pork in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 200
- 6
While the pork is baking, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of maltose. Heat the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the maltose dissolves and the mixture forms a smooth, slightly thickened glaze. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
After the initial 30 minutes of baking, carefully remove the pork from the oven. Generously brush the top side of the pork strips with the prepared glaze. Return the glazed pork to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 200
- 8
Remove the pork from the oven again, flip each strip over, and glaze the other side thoroughly. Return to the oven and bake for a final 5 minutes, or until the char siu is caramelized and slightly charred at the edges.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 200
- 9
Once cooked, remove the char siu from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the pork tender and moist.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
Slice the char siu into desired pieces, typically thin slices or bite-sized chunks. Serve hot with steamed rice, noodles, or as part of a larger meal.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Authentic Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)
For the Char Siu
- 500 g pork shoulder, sliced into strips
For the Marinade
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- 2 tablespoons maltose
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
For the Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon maltose
Instructions
- 1
Slice the 500g of pork shoulder into strips, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick and 6-8 inches long.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon of five-spice powder, 2 tablespoons of maltose, and the optional 1/2 teaspoon of red food coloring.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the pork strips to the marinade and mix thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and marinate the pork in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight for best flavor.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the marinated pork strips on the baking rack, ensuring they are not overlapping.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 200 - 5
Bake the pork in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 200 - 6
While the pork is baking, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of maltose. Heat the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the maltose dissolves and the mixture forms a smooth, slightly thickened glaze. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
After the initial 30 minutes of baking, carefully remove the pork from the oven. Generously brush the top side of the pork strips with the prepared glaze. Return the glazed pork to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 200 - 8
Remove the pork from the oven again, flip each strip over, and glaze the other side thoroughly. Return to the oven and bake for a final 5 minutes, or until the char siu is caramelized and slightly charred at the edges.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 200 - 9
Once cooked, remove the char siu from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the pork tender and moist.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
Slice the char siu into desired pieces, typically thin slices or bite-sized chunks. Serve hot with steamed rice, noodles, or as part of a larger meal.
⏱️ 5 min