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Char siu (叉燒)

China

By · Published · Updated

Cha Shao illustration, Chinese pork, anime food

A fragrant, slightly smoked and sweetish Cantonese dish — classic marinated pork leg, roasted to a golden crust. Perfect for serving with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Char Siu marinating pork, Chinese BBQ pork anime Ghibli illustration

    Place the pork shoulder in a sealed bag and add all the ingredients for the marinade.

  2. Char Siu pork marinating in bag, Chinese cuisine Ghibli illustration

    Squeeze out the air, seal the bag, mix thoroughly, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight).

  3. Char Siu marinated pork ready for roasting, Chinese cuisine anime illustration

    Remove the meat from the bag just before roasting, reserving the marinade for later use.

  4. Char Siu cooking process Chinese BBQ pork, anime Ghibli illustration

    Preheat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C).

  5. Char Siu pork on rack in oven, Chinese cuisine anime Ghibli illustration

    Prepare a baking sheet with a rack, pour hot water beneath the rack, and place the meat on the rack, positioning the sheet in the center of the oven.

  6. Char Siu Chinese BBQ pork roasting in oven, anime Ghibli kitchen illustration

    If needed, use a large sheet pan with water at the bottom of the oven and place the meat on the middle rack.

  7. Char Siu pork basting with marinade during roasting, Ghibli illustration

    Roast the meat for 15 minutes, then remove, turn, and brush it with some of the marinade.

  8. Char Siu honey glaze sauce preparation, Chinese cuisine anime illustration

    Continue roasting for another 10 minutes while mixing 2 teaspoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of the marinade.

  9. Char Siu pork glazed with honey marinade, Chinese cuisine anime Ghibli

    Increase the temperature to 460 °F (240 °C), remove the meat, and brush it with the honey‑marinade mixture.

  10. Char Siu final roasting and basting, Chinese BBQ pork anime Ghibli

    Return the meat to the oven: 5 minutes on one side, then brush the other side and roast for an additional 3 minutes.

  11. Char Siu sliced Chinese BBQ pork ready to serve, Ghibli anime illustration

    Let the meat rest for 5 minutes, slice, and serve.

  12. Char Siu aromatic sauce from marinade, Chinese cuisine anime Ghibli illustration

    If desired, reheat the remaining marinade (removing the garlic and ginger) and use it as a sauce.

FAQ

What is Char Siu (叉燒)?

Char Siu is a classic Cantonese dish featuring fragrant, slightly smoked, and sweet marinated pork, roasted to a golden crust. It's often served with rice or noodles.

How do you pronounce 叉燒?

叉燒 is pronounced 'Cha Siu' (Chah-See-oh) in Cantonese. It means 'fork-roasted' due to its traditional cooking method.

Can I make Char Siu without a special oven?

Yes, you can achieve delicious Char Siu using a conventional oven. Our recipe provides instructions for home cooking, no special equipment needed.

What can I substitute for pork shoulder in Char Siu?

While pork shoulder is traditional, you can use pork belly for a richer result or lean pork loin for a healthier option. Our app can suggest further ingredient swaps.

How long does it take to prepare Char Siu?

This Char Siu recipe takes approximately 74 minutes of active cooking time, not including marination. The marination time is crucial for flavor development.