Char Siu Pork


By Ivan Hawkes
August 14, 2025


The mouth watering Chinese pork dish that can be eaten on it’s own or added to soups and other dishes to bring them to life.

Marinade

QuantityMeasureIngredient
2kgspork - whole shoulder or collar
2tbsmaltose or honey
3tbsbrown sugar
2tbsoyster sauce
2tbshoisin sauce
2tbslight soy sauce
2tspfive spice powder
1tspsalt
6clovesgarlic
1tspgrated ginger
4piecesfermented soy
4tbsshaoxing wine
2tspsesame oil
2tspwhite pepper (ground)

Baste

QuantityMeasureIngredient
2tbsmaltose or honey
1tbshot water
2tbsleftover marinade

Directions

  • Mix the marinade ingredients together in a bowl.

  • Slice the pork into 2.5 centimetre thick pieces, allowing for a good portion of the fat to run through the meat. Place the meat and the marinade into a bag, remove all the air and seal it shut. Place in the fridge and let sit for 8-24 hours. Reserve a portion of the marinade for brushing on during cooking.

  • Bake for 12 minutes at a time. Each 12 minutes remove the pork from the oven, coat both sides in the reserved marinade and return to the over. Repeat 2-4 times for a total of 24-48 minutes cooking time (as preferred).

Alternatively:

  • Place on mesh over tray with a cup of water under it. Tent the tray with aluminium foil.

  • Place tray in the middle of the oven heated to 150c. Cook for 20 minutes then uncover. Cook for 40 minutes.

  • Switch to using the grill. Dry both sides of the meat by heating in middle of oven using grill for about 6 minutes / side.

  • Baste the meat and cook for 6 mins a side. Try to get a little char on the meat and a glossy glaise.

Notes

Pork butt or shoulder is best, but this can also be made using the belly.


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