One of my favorite things to eat is Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork). I remember going to Chinatown with my parents a few times a year when I was a kid. To enjoy with family, we went to our favorite place to pick up a huge tray of char siu pork and peking duck. For my family, it was always a special event, and that’s when I fell in love with Chinese BBQ pork.
Char siu is not only very tasty, but also surprisingly easy to make at home! I like to make a double batch and eat half of it over a few days in different dishes like fried rice and noodles. I then mince up the other half and stuff it into bao buns, which I then freeze. It’s the best snack or quick lunch on the go ever!.
Char siu pork, the sticky, sweet Cantonese roasted pork, is a mouthwatering main course. But what should you serve alongside this Chinese barbecue delicacy to make it a complete meal? With the rich, complex flavors of char siu pork, you’ll want sides that complement rather than compete. Read on for 8 tantalizing side dish options to take your char siu pork to the next level.
Complementary Flavors
When choosing sides for char siu pork, aim for ingredients that will accent the sweet and salty glaze without overpowering it Crisp, fresh vegetables are a perfect contrast to the tender pork Rice or noodles soak up the delicious sauce. And eggs or tofu provide protein to balance the meal.
Texture Variety
Don’t serve all soft sides with this finger-licking-good pork. Vary the textures for maximum enjoyment. Try a crisp slaw, some steaming rice, and maybe fried wontons for crunch Mixing up the mouthfeels makes the meal more fun to eat
Simple Preparation
You don’t want side dishes that require as much effort as the star of the show. Opt for quick-cooking, easy sides you can throw together while the char siu pork finishes roasting. Simple stir fries, vegetable salads, or steamed grains allow the flavors of the pork to take center stage.
Customizable Flavors
Round out the meal with build-your-own style sides. Think lettuce wrap fixings, taco bar toppings, or DIY fried rice bowls. Offering various flavors allows each diner to customize their pairing preferences. You provide the foundation and guests add their own touch.
8 Winning Ways to Accompany Char Siu
- Fluffy white rice to soak up that scrumptious sauce
- Bright crunchy slaw with sesame ginger dressing
- Savory fried rice with peas, carrots, and eggs
- Steamed broccoli drizzled with oyster sauce
- Garlicky bok choy sautéed in soy sauce
- Sweet egg custard steamed to silky perfection
- Fresh cucumber salad for cool crispness
- DIY lettuce wraps with hoisin and sriracha
With a variety of simple sides featuring contrasting flavors and textures, you can turn char siu pork into a festive, filling feast. Try out different combinations and discover your favorite pairings!
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Don’t cut corners on the marinating time! The pork needs enough time to really get all the delicious flavors that come with char siu pork. We believe that you should wait at least 12 hours to get the flavor and texture you want, but 24 hours is better if you have the time!
- When you roast, put a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. This will make sure that the roasting is even.
- Make sure to coat your wire rack with cooking spray or oil it well. This will help keep the pork strips from sticking to the rack because of the sugar.
- Before putting the wire rack in the baking sheet with the rim, cover it with aluminum foil. This will make it easier to clean up the oil or marinade that drips off the pork and onto the baking sheet.
What Does Char Siu Mean?
The Chinese words Char siu literally translate to “fork roasted”. This refers to the traditional method of roasting (or barbecuing) skewered strips of meat. Since pork is the most common protein, “char siu” is usually taken to mean pork unless something else is said.
Our homemade version doesn’t involve skewering the strips of pork. We also don’t use an open flame In our recipe. So, we think this is as close as you can get to Chinese BBQ pork from a restaurant using simple, easy-to-find ingredients and cooking tools.
Chinese BBQ Pork Recipe – Char Siu | Chinese Recipe
What are the best side dishes for char siu pork?
The 17 best side dishes for Char Siu Pork, from steamed white rice to noodles, stir-fries and Dim Sum! What is Char Siu? What is Char Siu? Char Siu, or Chinese Barbecue Pork, is a traditional Chinese pork dish that tastes both sweet and savory.
What to eat with char siu?
Crispy egg rolls are another excellent side dish option. Stuffed with a combination of veggies and sometimes shrimp or pork, they provide a contrasting texture and added flavor dimension to the succulent char siu. For a light version you can also try egg roll in a bowl. 7. Ramen A warm bowl of ramen is the ultimate comfort food.
What to do with leftover char siu pork?
Char siu pork is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own, in sandwiches, fried rice, or as a topping for noodles. Furthermore, you can use leftover char siu pork as a filling for pork buns (“Char Siu Bao”). They are fluffy steamed buns stuffed with char siu, perfect for a quick, tasty snack.
What pork is used for char siu?
The pork used for char siu is typically boneless and can come from various cuts, such as boneless pork shoulder, pork loin, pork butt, or pork belly. The meat is marinated in marinade ingredients, including a blend of hoisin sauce (optional), raw honey (or brown sugar), Chinese five-spice powder, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, etc.