Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)

Name: Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: China
Ingredients: 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into long strips; 3 tbsp hoisin sauce; 2 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 2 tbsp honey, plus more for basting; 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; 1 tsp five-spice powder; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp maltose (optional); Red food coloring (optional, for traditional color)

4 servings20 min prep30 min cookEasy China

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Char siu, meaning 'fork roast' in Cantonese, describes the traditional method of skewering marinated pork on long forks to roast over an open fire, a technique documented in Cantonese cooking for centuries. Its glossy, reddish glaze and sweet-savory flavor made it a fixture of Guangdong and Hong Kong roast-meat shops.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into long strips
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp honey, plus more for basting
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 tsp five-spice powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp maltose (optional)
Red food coloring (optional, for traditional color)

Instructions

1Whisk hoisin, soy sauces, honey, wine, five-spice, and garlic together to make the marinade.
2Coat the pork strips thoroughly and marinate in the refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight.
3Preheat oven to 425°F and set a wire rack over a foil-lined baking tray with water underneath to catch drips.
4Roast the pork for 20 minutes, then flip and roast another 10 minutes.
5Brush with extra honey and broil for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly charred at the edges.
6Rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
7Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

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