Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ pork, 叉烧)

The cooking procedure

Char Siu may look like a sophisticated dish to cook. It actually involves very simple procedures. There are no special skills required (unlike dumpling folding or noodle pulling). Once you’ve got all the ingredients in hand, what you need to do is simply follow the temperature and timing instructions. Here is the summary of the process:

1. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade.
2. Marinate the pork overnight in the fridge.
3. Roast the meat on a wire rack in the oven. Take out about halfway to flip over and brush more marinade.
4. Towards the end, brush the honey mixture then roast under higher temperature for a short while to produce a nice glaze.

How to choose the pork cut

According to traditional recipes, Méi Tóu Róu/梅头肉 is the ideal cut of pork for Char Siu. It refers to boneless pork shoulder (aka pork butt/Boston butt) which comes from the upper part of the shoulder from the front leg of the pig. This part of pork has a small amount of fat so it’s not as lean as pork fillet yet not as fatty as pork belly.

For my recipe, I use pork shoulder steaks which are boneless and thin. It takes less time to cook than chunkier pieces. Also, I find that the marinade penetrates more easily thus the cooked Char Siu becomes tastier.

How to make the marinade

The ingredient list

Here comes the most important part of Char Siu making: marinate the pork with a well-balanced sauce. I’ve tested several different mixtures and finally decided to share the following one with you.

• Char Siu sauce is a key ingredient. I use Lee Kum Kee (李锦记) Char Siu sauce which is widely available in Chinese/Asian stores. 
• Oyster sauce adds a hint of seafood umami taste.
• Light soy sauce
• Chinese five-spice powder enhances the depth of the flavour.
• Garlic & ginger provide an extra kick. 
• Chilli powder is entirely optional. It’s not called for in traditional recipes but purely my personal preference. I highly recommend it if you usually eat spicy food. It provides a hint of spiciness which balances the sweetness of Char Siu.

Make the meat red

You might have noticed that my Char Siu doesn’t have the reddish colour that you usually see on shop/restaurant bought one. If you are after that particular look, please feel free to add a little colouring agent to the marinade. You may use either red yeast powder/红曲粉 or regular red food colouring.

Let the flavour penetrate

To achieve the best taste, you need to make sure that the flavour of the sauce penetrates into the meat as much as possible. Here are two tips:

• Use a resealable plastic bag. Put the meat inside. Add all the ingredients for the marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Rub the bag with your fingers to make sure every part of the meat is in touch with the sauce. Keep in the fridge.
• Leave to marinate overnight. I usually prepare the marinade in the evening, then roast the meat the next day for dinner. Alternatively, you may start marinating in the morning and cook in the evening.

How to roast in the oven

Use a wire rack

Marinated pork needs to be roasted on a wire rack so that it can be cooked evenly. Also, the excess sauce/juice can drip off freely during roasting. It’s important to have some water underneath to collect the drippings thus prevent smoking/burning. Here are two options:

• Use a baking tray with a wire rack placed inside. Fill the tray with hot water (lower than the rack) then put the pork on the rack (as shown in the image below).
• Alternatively, place a tray filled with hot water at the bottom of the oven. Then place the meat on the middle rack of the oven.

Temperature & timing

Now it’s time to roast the meat in the oven. It takes me a little over 30 mins from start to finish. Let’s break down the entire process into four stages:

1. The first 15 mins. Roast at 425°F/220°C/Fan 200°C. I highly recommend you use the fan-assisted function if available. It’s more efficient and cooks more evenly.
2. A future 10 mins. Take the meat out and flip it over. Brush some marinade then put back to the oven. Remain the same temperature.
3. 5 mins at a higher temperature. Turn the oven up to 460°F/240°C/Fan 220°C. Take the meat out and brush with the honey and marinade mixture. Put back to the oven.
4. The final 3 mins. Brush the honey mixture on the other side of the meat. Roast for 3 mins at high temperature. 

Watch & adjust

It worth noting that the roasting time may vary slightly since different ovens perform differently. The weight and size of the meat would also affect the required cooking time. Use my instructions as a general guide. Be attentive at your first attempt, check the colour change and adjust the time accordingly (It’s normal to have a little char around the edge of the meat).

How to serve Char Siu

After you take the Char Siu out of the oven, leave it to rest for 5 mins or so before slicing (trim off the charred edges if you wish). Serve it warm with your preferred accompaniment. I have a few serving ideas:

• Serve with a bowl of plain rice along with lightly stir-fried or blanched vegetable.
• Use it as filling for Char Siu Bao (see image below).

• Make fried rice with it. For example, you may replace the protein ingredients with Char Siu in these dishes: Soy Sauce Rice, Chinese Sausage Fried Rice, Easy Pineapple Fried Rice.
• Use it in fried noodle dishes, such as Singapore Rice Noodles (see image below).

I usually retain the leftover marinade. It can be heated then used in several different ways: Pour it over Char Siu rice, mix with noodles, season some vegetable stir-fries, or use it as a soup base.

Other pork recipes

I have some other pork-based classic Chinese dishes on the blog. Check them out if you are interested:

• Red-cooked Pork Belly (红烧肉)
• Hunan Pork Stir-fry (湖南小炒肉)
• Peking Shredded Pork (京酱肉丝)
• Chinese Pork Burget (肉夹馍)
• Sichuan Twice-cooked Pork (回锅肉)
• Pork Belly Bao Buns (刈包)