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How to Cook Chinese Barbecued Pork (Char Siu Pork)

Char siu pork is a classic Cantonese-style barbecued pork known for its sweet-savory flavor, tender texture, and signature glossy caramelized glaze.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time51 minutes
Total Time1 hour 6 minutes
Course: Pork Recipe
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: char siu pork, Chinese pork barbecue, pork BBQ
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 1 kilo pork shoulder kasim
  • 1 Tbsp. brandy
  • 2 Tbsp. dry sherry or Chinese rice wine
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. hoi sin sauce
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. honey

Instructions

How to Cook Chinese Barbecued Pork (Char Siu Pork):

  • Cut the pork into strips along the grain about 2 inches wide x 2 inches thick and approximately 6 inches long.
  • Mix the marinade by combining brandy, sherry, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and hoi sin sauce.
  • Get a zip bag or sealed container and combine the pork and marinade. Marinate the pork slices overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Lay the strips on a rack and set on a roasting pan filled with water. Roast for 10 minutes. Then lower the heat to 320°F and continue roasting, flipping and basting occasionally with the marinade for another 35 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes. Brush tops with honey, return to oven, and roast for 4 minutes. Remove from oven, flip over the slices, brush with honey, and return to oven. Roast for 2 more minutes. Slice the roast pork and serve warm or at room temperature. Serve with rice as topping or noodles.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Marinate Overnight for Deeper Flavor

For the best char siu pork, allow the meat to marinate overnight in the refrigerator. This gives the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and other seasonings enough time to penetrate beyond the surface. The longer marinating time results in more flavorful and juicy pork after roasting.

Baste Frequently During Roasting

Basting the pork with the marinade while it cooks helps build layers of flavor and creates a beautiful glossy finish. It also keeps the surface from drying out during the long roasting process. Turn the pork occasionally so it cooks evenly and develops consistent caramelization on all sides.

Apply the Honey Glaze at the End

Brush the honey onto the pork only during the final minutes of cooking. Adding it too early can cause the sugars to burn before the meat is fully cooked. Applying it near the end creates the signature shiny coating and sweet-savory glaze that makes char siu pork so appealing.