Honey Barbecue Pork (蜜汁叉燒)

蜜汁叉燒, or Honey Barbecue Pork (Char Siu), is a popular Cantonese dish known for its sweet and savory flavor, glossy appearance, and slightly charred edges. This dish is a staple in Chinese cuisine, often served in dim sum restaurants and is a key ingredient in many other Asian dishes. Making Char Siu at home can be a rewarding experience. Here's a recipe to help you create this delicious barbecue pork.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

500 g pork shoulder or pork belly
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 teaspoons five-spice powder
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon sugar
A pinch of salt

For Glazing:

2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon warm water

Instructions

Prepare the Pork:

Slice the pork into long strips or chunks, about 2 inches thick.

Marinate the Pork:

In a bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, honey, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, sesame oil, minced garlic, sugar, and salt. Mix well to create the marinade.
Coat the pork pieces with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, for the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Place a rack over a lined baking tray to catch any drips.

Roast the Pork:

Place the marinated pork on the rack. Reserve the leftover marinade for basting.
Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the pork with the remaining marinade.

Glaze the Pork:

Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of warm water.
During the last 10 minutes of roasting, brush the pork with the honey water mixture to create a glossy finish.

Check for Doneness:

The pork is done when its edges start to char slightly and it has a rich, caramelized color.

Rest and Slice:

Let the Char Siu rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. Then, slice it into bite-sized pieces.

Serve:

Serve your Honey Barbecue Pork with rice, noodles, or enjoy it on its own.