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The best Char Siu recipe with perfect Cantonese BBQ char siu pork and sweet char siu sauce. This is an authentic recipe that tastes like Cantonese restaurants in Chinatown!
Char Siu Pork
Char Siu, or Chinese BBQ pork, is one of the most popular pork recipes in Cantonese cooking.
If you have been to Chinatown, I am sure you have seen glistening and perfectly roasted meats such as Chinese roast pork (siu yuk), chicken and duck hanging in front of the Chinese BBQ restaurants.
BBQ pork belly char siu is the epitome of Cantonese BBQ. They are always sliced into thin pieces and served with steamed white rice, with vegetable on the side.
Sometimes spelled as char siew or char sui, the pork is always perfectly charred, juicy, tender, dripping in a sticky, sweet and savory sauce.
When cooked right, this is one of the best pork recipes to savor in the whole world!
In this recipe, you will learn how to make the best char siu, 100% homemade, with the taste that rivals the best Cantonese restaurants in Chinatown!
Char Siu Recipe
How to make char siu? There are two parts of the recipe.
The first part is picking the best cut of pork. The second part is making the char siu sauce which is the marinade.
It’s best to marinate the pork belly overnight. To BBQ, roast in the oven at 400F for 15 minutes.
Set the oven to broil and broil all sides of the pork belly until they char nicely. Slice into thin pieces before serving.
Ingredients
Before you marinate the pork belly, you will need to make the Char Siu Sauce.
Here are the list of ingredients:
- “Nam yue” or fermented red bean curd. This ingredient is optional if you don’t have it, but it adds the iconic nuance and aromas to the pork.
- Maltose (preferred) or honey.
- Soy sauce.
- Oyster sauce.
- Five spice powder.
- Ground white pepper.
These ingredients mingle together to produce the most amazing, sweet, savory, sticky sauce that marinates the pork belly before roasting in the oven. You can make a few servings and keep them in the fridge.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Char Siu Pork Belly
Step 1: Get a big bowl, mix all the Char Siu Sauce ingredients, add the garlic and pork belly and marinate overnight in the fridge.
Step 2: The next day, heat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Place the pork belly on a wire rack or in a pan lined with aluminum foil. Roast for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Removed from oven and turn the pork belly over, brush the remaining Char Siu Sauce on the pork. Continue to roast for another 15 minutes.
Step 4: Set the oven to Broil and broil each side of the pork belly for about 1 min, until each side become nicely charred. The char siu will look dark in color, it’s normal.
Step 5: Slice the char siu into thin and bite-size pieces, serve immediately with steamed white rice and the remaining Char Siu Sauce. You may heat up the remaining Char Siu Sauce and bring to a simmer and set aside.
Cooking Tips For The Best Char Siu Pork Belly
I have another Chinese BBQ Pork recipe, but this is the best and most authentic recipe ever!
The taste of this recipe reminds me of the best of the best in Malaysia, found at the many chicken rice stalls there.
Here are my Cooking Tips:
- Use pork belly. Try to choose fatty pork belly with equal layer of meat and fat. The ratio of fat and meat should be 50:50.
- If you can’t find pork belly, you may choose fatty pork shoulder or pork butt.
- Remove the skin before marinating the pork.
- Marinate overnight for the deeper flavors.
- Roast and BBQ the pork in an oven. Then grill over direct fire (using an outdoor BBQ grill or over the stove top). You can also use broil it using your oven. The key is to char all sides of the pork belly with a nice char.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use pork tenderloin for char siu.
Pork tenderloin is less fatty but it will make a leaner and healthier version of this recipe.
You can keep the leftover in the refrigerator for a few days but I don’t recommend freezing.
This recipe is only 361 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Serve this recipe with plain rice or chicken rice. For a Cantonese BBQ dinner at home, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Char Siu (The Best Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skinless pork belly, cut into 2 long strips
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
Char Siu Sauce:
- 2 pieces Chinese fermented red bean curd
- 1 tablespoon maltose , or honey
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark and thick soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper powder
- 3 1/2 oz sugar, 100 g or 8 1/2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Get a big bowl, mix all the Char Siu Sauce ingredients, add the garlic and pork belly and marinate overnight in the fridge.
- The next day, heat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Place the pork belly on a wire rack or in a pan lined with aluminum foil. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Removed from oven and turn the pork belly over, brush the remaining Char Siu Sauce on the pork. Continue to roast for another 15 minutes.
- Set the oven to Broil and broil each side of the pork belly for about 1 min, until each side become nicely charred. The char siu will look dark in color, it's normal.
- Slice the char siu into thin and bite-size pieces, serve immediately with steamed white rice and the remaining Char Siu Sauce. You may heat up the remaining Char Siu Sauce and bring to a simmer and set aside.
Video
Notes
- Use pork belly. Try to choose fatty pork belly with equal layer of meat and fat. The ratio of fat and meat should be 50:50.
- If you can’t find pork belly, you may choose fatty pork shoulder or pork butt.
- Remove the skin before marinating the pork.
- Marinate overnight for the deeper flavors.
- Roast and BBQ the pork in an oven. Then grill over direct fire (using an outdoor BBQ grill or over the stove top). You can also use broil it using your oven. The key is to char all sides of the pork belly with a nice char.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
AT THIS TIME I AM GOING TO MAKE, “CHAR SUI” I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THIS AND NOW THAT I AM IN A PLACE OF MY OWN, WITH NO NEAR GOOD ASIAN RESTAURANTS, I AM TO MAKE IT MYSELF WITH BEE YIN LOW AND HER “MALAYSIA” SITE, I AM SO VERY HAPPY I FOND HER, SHE IS EXCELLENT AND MAKES THE RECIPES EASY AND UNDERSTANDABLE! MAAER
Thank you for your support. Please enjoy the char siu recipe and let us know how it turns out.
What type for sugar is the best for this recipe? I’m looking for more healthy version.
I just use cane sugar.
Another very good easy to follow recipe. Turned out perfect. Thanks again
Thanks! :)
I’ve made this a dozen times or more! This is the go-to recipe when i want to make char siu. Punya sedap! Terima kasih banyak.
Thanks!
Could this be cooked in a air fryer ?
Thanks
You can use a skillet to cook.
I’ve tried store-bought sauces/marinades and tried countless recipes. What makes this one head and shoulders above the rest is the fermented red bean curd and shaoxing wine. Outstanding!
I am so happy that you love this char siu recipe. Please try more recipes on my site, they are all good: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
They are! I am a fan!
Do I need to blanch the pork first before marinating?
No.
Awesome recipe – this is best one I’ve been able to find, it’s easy to make and the whole family love it! Thank you Bee for sharing this.
Thanks!
Hi there. The amount of sugar in the recipe is considerably more than the rest of the sauces (8 & half tablespoons?) Would it be too sweet.
I’ve made Char Siew using this recipe a few times and each time it’s sooo good! Easy to follow and cook :) love it!