Chinese Char Siu Pork Recipe

Rich red-brown char siu pork glistens in Chinatown windows, hanging side-by-side with roast Peking duck — where even the limp necks cannot deter our intrinsic lust for sugar, salt, fat. The combination of red yielding pork, sweet-salt umami-rich sauce, bright green crunchy pak choi, and fluffy absorbent white rice is difficult to beat.

What is Char Siu sauce made of?

Preserved red beancurd — tofu fermented in a red yeast — and plenty of honey or sugar are the secrets to Char Siu pork’s glossy sheen. With so much sweetness, the sharp fermented beancurd notes bring balance to such a rich dish. Anything else is optional.

I add a trio of umami-rich sauces: hoisin, oyster, and soy; along with sherry-like shaoxing wine. Fresh ginger and garlic are often used, but I find them too pungent and the texture competes with the smooth sticky glaze — for me Chinese five-spice powder is best. Total preparation time is less than 15 minutes. How’s that for an easy dish?   

Why is Chinese pork red on the outside?

The red fermented bean curd, or tofu, is an essential ingredient in Char Siu pork. The bean curd is combined with red rice yeast, which gives the red colour – in turn colouring the marinade. However, the end result is more commonly a rich mahogany brown. So you might find that some restaurants use red food colouring with white tofu for an even more dramatic effect.

What does Char Siu taste of?

Sweet, salty, rich in umami, and fragrant with five spice – Char Siu has a strong and distinctive flavour. It is best served as the hero flavour, alongside plain rice and simple steamed greens.

What is the best cut of pork for Char Siu?

Pork shoulder or pork belly are great choices for cooking Char Siu at home. Find more pork recipes here, or explore Chinese ingredients for more inspiration.