Chinese Char Siu BBQ pork delivers sweet, savory, smoky flavors with its signature sticky glaze and tender, juicy texture. This iconic Cantonese dish roasts marinated pork until caramelized and glossy, creating the irresistible red-tinged barbecue pork you see hanging in Chinese BBQ shops.
Course: Main dish
Cuisine: Chinese recipe, Cantonese dish (Southern China / Guangdong)
Why Char Siu Is So Popular
Char siu (叉燒) is one of the most beloved Cantonese barbecue dishes, prized for its balance of sweetness, umami, and smoky depth. Traditionally roasted in specialized ovens, modern home methods still produce restaurant-quality results using a standard oven or grill. Char siu’s versatility—served over rice, in noodles, buns, or stir-fries—makes it a staple in Chinese home cooking and takeout menus alike.
INGREDIENTS FOR CHINESE CHAR SIU BBQ PORK
- Pork shoulder or pork butt: well-marbled cut for juicy texture
- Hoisin sauce: sweet-savory base of the marinade
- Soy sauce: deep umami seasoning
- Dark soy sauce: color and richness
- Honey: sticky glaze and caramelization
- Brown sugar: sweetness and depth
- Shaoxing wine: aromatic Chinese cooking wine
- Garlic: pungent savory flavor
- Five-spice powder: warm, fragrant spice blend
- White pepper: subtle heat
- Sesame oil: nutty aroma
- Red fermented bean curd (optional): traditional color and funk
- Red food coloring (optional): visual authenticity only
HOW TO MAKE CHINESE CHAR SIU BBQ PORK
- Slice the pork into long strips, about 2–3 inches thick.
- Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Coat pork thoroughly, cover, and marinate overnight or for at least 8 hours for best flavor.
- Preheat oven and place pork on a rack over a lined baking tray.
- Roast, flipping and basting regularly with reserved marinade.
- Brush with honey glaze near the end for shine and caramelization.
- Rest briefly, then slice against the grain and serve.
DIETARY INFORMATION
- Dairy-free
- Can be made gluten-free
- Can be adapted for low-calorie or plant-based diets
- Not keto or paleo (due to sugar and honey)
Authentic Char Siu (Easy Chinese BBQ Pork)
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork shoulder sliced into strips
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey divided
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp mashed red fermented bean curd optional
- Red food coloring optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except half the honey in a bowl.
- Marinate pork overnight or for at least 8 hours in a sealed container.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Place pork on a rack over foil-lined tray.
- Roast for 25 minutes, flipping once and basting.
- Brush with remaining honey and roast 15–20 minutes more.
- Broil briefly if needed for charred edges.
- Rest, slice, and serve.
Notes
Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 420 (21%)
Carbohydrates: 26g (9%)
Protein: 32g (64%)
Fat: 20g (26%)
Saturated Fat: 7g (35%)
Cholesterol: 95mg (32%)
Sodium: 980mg (43%)
Sugar: 22g
RECIPE TIPS & SUBSTITUTIONS
- Marinate at least 8 hours for best flavor
- Baste frequently to prevent drying
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 4 days
- Freeze sliced char siu for meal prep
Dietary substitutions:
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin
- Low-calorie: use pork tenderloin and reduce honey
- Vegan: substitute with roasted tofu, seitan, or jackfruit
- No red dye: use dark soy sauce only
SERVING IDEAS
- Serve over jasmine rice or fried rice
- Add to ramen, lo mein, or rice noodles
- Use in bao buns or char siu bao filling
- Pair with Chinese broccoli or bok choy
- Slice for char siu fried rice or stir-fries
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