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Char siu

Char siu is a Chinese dish that has been popular in the United States for decades. It's made from pork, and its name translates to "fork-roast" or "forked roast."

Char siu

Char siu is a Chinese dish made from barbecued pork. It's also known as char siew, which literally translates to "fork roast."

In Cantonese cuisine, char siu is typically made with marinated pork that has been roasted over charcoal and then glazed with hoisin sauce, honey, or other sweeteners.

The origin of Char siu

The dish originated in China, where it was traditionally eaten as part of dim sum. Today it's served as an appetizer at many Chinese restaurants across America.

The name "char siu" comes from the Cantonese word for barbecue: 烤肉 (kea laap). The character 烤 (kea) refers to roasting or grilling while 肉 (laap) refers to meat. The second part of the name is derived from 肉燥 (roast pork).

FAQs about Char siu

Is roast pork the same as char siu?

No, roast pork and char siu are not the same. Roast pork typically refers to a whole cut of pork that has been roasted in the oven, while char siu is a type of Chinese barbecue pork that is typically made with pork shoulder or pork belly. Char siu is usually marinated with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder and garlic before being roasted, grilled or smoked.


What does char siu taste like?

Char siu has a sweet and savory flavor. It is usually seasoned with hoisin sauce, honey, five-spice powder, red food coloring, and other seasonings. The meat is marinated in these flavors and then roasted or barbecued, so it has a slightly smoky taste as well.


What is char siu sauce made of?

Char siu sauce is typically made from a combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, honey, garlic, and sometimes red food coloring. It is used to marinate and flavor pork, usually char siu pork.


What is Vietnamese char siu?

Vietnamese char siu is a type of barbecued pork that originated from Cantonese Chinese cuisine. It is characterized by its savory, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor, as well as a chewy texture. Char siu is made by marinating pork in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, and garlic before being roasted or grilled. It is commonly served in banh mi sandwiches, noodle dishes, or over rice.


Types of Char siu

There are three types of char siu: lean, which uses only lean cuts of pork; prime, which uses the fattiest parts of the animal; and traditional, which uses a combination of both lean and fatty meat.