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Char Siu: Perfect Cantonese BBQ Pork Belly


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5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Josephine Chan
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

Fall-apart tender pork belly with a sweet and savory glaze. Perfect with rice or noodles!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lbs (500 g) pork belly strips
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp five spice powder
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 cups (473 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Pork Belly
  2. In a large bowl, combine pork belly strips with salt, white pepper, five-spice powder, dark soy sauce, baking soda, Chinese wine, honey, sugar, and hoisin sauce. Massage the seasoning into the pork belly for at least 5 minutes. Cover and let it marinate for 2-4 hours in the fridge (overnight is even better).
  3. Brown the Pork Belly
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a hot wok over medium heat. Brown the pork belly strips for 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly golden.
  5. Simmer the Pork Belly
  6. Pour 2 cups of water into the wok and bring it to a simmer. Ensure the pork is coated with the sauce. Lower the heat and let it gently simmer for 40 minutes, turning the pork every 10 minutes. By 30-40 minutes, the sauce should have reduced, and the pork should be fork-tender.
  7. Caramelize and Char
  8. Once cooked, remove the pork belly and transfer the remaining sauce to a bowl. Reserve this to drizzle over rice or noodles later. Leave 1 tbsp of the sauce/oil in the wok. Heat the wok over medium heat and return the pork belly. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until slightly charred and caramelized.
  9. Glaze and Serve
  10. Once charred, brush each pork strip with a layer of honey. Let the pork rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thick pieces. Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or bao buns, drizzled with the reserved sauce.

Notes

  • For an even deeper flavor, marinate the pork belly overnight.
  • To achieve a crispier skin, use a combination of broiling and searing in the final steps.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Braising
  • Cuisine: Cantonese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 150g
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 15
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 30
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 35
  • Cholesterol: 100