Char siu

Char siu is a popular way to flavor and prepare barbecued pork in Cantonese cuisine. It is classified as a type of siu mei, Cantonese roasted meat.

Ingredients

The main ingredient of char siu is pork, which is marinated in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, red fermented tofu, and five-spice powder. The pork is then skewered with long forks and placed in a covered oven or over a fire.

Preparation

The preparation of char siu involves a two-step process. First, the pork is marinated in the char siu sauce for several hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat. The pork is then roasted in an oven or over a fire. The high heat caramelizes the sugars in the marinade, giving the pork its characteristic shiny, red exterior.

Variations

There are many variations of char siu. Some recipes include red food coloring or red bean curd to give the pork a redder color. Others use different cuts of pork, such as pork belly or pork shoulder.

Serving

Char siu is typically served sliced into thin pieces. It can be served on its own, with rice, or in a variety of dishes, such as char siu bao, char siu fried rice, and char siu noodles.

See also

• Chinese cuisine
• Cantonese cuisine
• Barbecue
• Pork

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  Char siu
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  Char siu with rice and green vegetables
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  Char siu with noodles