Umami Guru › Recipes

Tangcu Paigu (糖醋排骨)

China

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Tang Cu Pai Gu, Chinese pork ribs, Studio Ghibli illustration

A Chinese cuisine dish with a perfect balance of sweet and sour. Suitable for beginners, requires simple techniques and yields restaurant-level results.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Chinese cuisine, Tansu Paigu, anime cooking illustration, Studio Ghibli-inspired style

    Place the pork ribs in a large pot, cover with cold water, bring to a boil and let simmer.

  2. Chinese Tansu Paigu – anime-style illustration of a cooking step in Studio Ghibli watercolor

    Skim off the foam with a slotted spoon, after 3 minutes drain the water, leaving the ribs.

  3. Chinese cuisine, Tansu Paigu, anime-style cooking illustration

    Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or skillet, add the drained ribs, garlic, ginger and green onion. Stir-fry until lightly golden.

  4. Chinese cuisine, Tansu Paigu, anime-style illustration of the cooking process

    Add sugar, 3 tbsp black rice vinegar (reserve 1 tbsp for the final step), light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and salt. Add hot water to cover the ribs (about 400 ml).

  5. Tansu Paigu Chinese cuisine, anime-style illustration of the cooking process

    Bring to a full boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer over low heat for about 50 minutes.

  6. Chinese cuisine, tansu paigu, preparation step, anime illustration

    Remove the lid, discard the garlic, ginger and green onion. Add the remaining 1 tbsp black rice vinegar and increase heat to high so the liquid reduces to a thick glaze.

  7. Chinese cuisine, Tansu Paigu, pork ribs being prepared, anime illustration

    Stir occasionally until the sauce coats the ribs, then remove from heat immediately to prevent the sugar from burning.

  8. Illustration of preparing Tansu Paigu, Chinese cuisine in anime style

    Transfer the cooked ribs to a serving dish, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onion to taste.

  9. Illustration of a Tansu Paigu cooking step, Chinese cuisine, anime style

    Serve warm or at room temperature, together with plain rice and vegetable sides.

FAQ

How is Tangcu Paigu (糖醋排骨) pronounced?

Tangcu Paigu is pronounced 'Tángcù páigǔ'. You can use this transcription to order it in a restaurant or discuss it with others.

What are the main ingredients for Tangcu Paigu?

The key ingredients for this Tangcu Paigu recipe include pork ribs, black rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauces, garlic, ginger, and green onion.

Can I make Tangcu Paigu without deep-frying the ribs?

While traditional Tangcu Paigu often involves deep-frying, you can achieve a similar result by pan-frying or baking the ribs until golden brown before simmering in the sauce.

What anime features dishes similar to Tangcu Paigu?

Many Studio Ghibli films and other anime often showcase delicious-looking, hearty home-cooked meals, including various meat dishes that evoke a similar comforting and flavorful aesthetic to Tangcu Paigu.

How long does it take to prepare Tangcu Paigu?

This Tangcu Paigu recipe takes approximately 91 minutes to prepare from start to finish, including prep and cooking time.