Chinese BBQ Pork — also known as Char Siu — is one of the most iconic dishes in Cantonese cuisine. If you’ve ever walked into a Chinese restaurant and admired the glossy red strips of pork hanging in the window, shimmering with sticky glaze and smelling impossibly delicious, then you already know the magic of char siu.

And now you can make the same irresistible flavor at home.

This homemade Chinese BBQ pork recipe captures everything you love about authentic char siu: the deep savory flavor, the perfect balance of sweetness and umami, the hint of warm spice, and the shiny lacquered finish that caramelizes beautifully during roasting. It’s surprisingly easy to make, requires simple ingredients, and turns out unbelievably delicious every single time.

With its sticky edges, juicy interior, and bold aroma, char siu is perfect for rice bowls, noodle dishes, bao buns, fried rice, and even as a protein for meal prep. Once you make it yourself, you’ll realize just how superior homemade char siu is to anything store-bought.

What Is Char Siu?

Char siu is a traditional Cantonese roasted pork dish known for its signature flavor and color. The name translates to “fork-roasted,” referring to its traditional method of cooking meat suspended on long forks inside a roasting oven.

Key features of char siu:

• Glazed, glossy surface
• Sticky sweet and savory flavor
• Tender, juicy slices
• Slight smoky notes
• Deep red or mahogany color (traditional or optional)

The flavors come from a marinade made with:

• Soy sauce
• Hoisin
• Sugar or honey
• Chinese five-spice powder
• Garlic
• Rice wine or Shaoxing wine

Some versions add red food coloring for that classic color, but it’s totally optional.

Why Make Chinese BBQ Pork at Home?

1. Flavor Control

Marinate longer for deeper flavor, adjust sweetness, increase the garlic — customize it exactly how you like.

2. Healthier Ingredients

No preservatives, no artificial sweetness, and high-quality meats.

3. Better Texture

Homemade char siu stays incredibly tender and juicy.

4. More Affordable

Restaurant char siu can be pricey — making it yourself is budget-friendly.

5. Perfect for Meal Prep

Leftovers are amazing in:

• Stir-fried rice
• Noodles
• Bento boxes
• Sandwiches
• Bao buns
• Soups

Ingredients

For the Pork

• 2 lbs pork loin or pork shoulder (shoulder gives the juiciest results)

For the Marinade

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1–2 drops red food coloring (optional, for classic look)

For Basting Glaze

• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp reserved marinade

Instructions

1. Prepare the pork.
   Cut the pork into long strips 2–3 inches wide for faster marinating and even cooking.
2. Mix the marinade.
   In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, five-spice, sesame oil, and optional coloring.
3. Marinate.
   Add pork strips to a zip-top bag or container. Pour in marinade and coat evenly.
   Marinate at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
4. Preheat the oven.
   Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
5. Bake the pork.
   Lay pork strips on the rack. Bake for 20 minutes, reserving the marinade.
6. Prepare the glaze.
   Mix 2 tbsp honey with 2 tbsp of the leftover marinade.
7. Baste and continue roasting.
   Flip pork, brush with glaze, and roast an additional 15–20 minutes, basting every 5 minutes.
8. Broil for caramelization.
   Broil 2–3 minutes until edges are charred and glossy.
9. Rest and slice.
   Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
10. Serve warm.
    Enjoy with rice, noodles, or inside bao buns.

Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)

Tender, sticky, flavorful Chinese BBQ pork with a rich red glaze, made easily at home with a sweet-savory marinade and oven roasting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Calories: 310

Ingredients

  

Pork & Marinade

• 2 lbs pork loin or pork shoulder
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 0.25 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 0.5 tsp sesame oil
• 2 drops red food coloring optional

Glaze

• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp reserved marinade

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Brush for glazing

Method

 

1. Slice pork into long strips 2–3 inches wide.
2. Whisk together marinade ingredients in a bowl.
3. Marinate pork for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil.
5. Place pork on a wire rack set over the sheet.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, reserving marinade.
7. Mix honey with reserved marinade to make glaze.
8. Flip pork, brush with glaze, and bake 15–20 more minutes.
9. Broil 2–3 minutes until caramelized.
10. Rest 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

Notes

For juicier results, use pork shoulder instead of loin. Baste often for a thicker glaze.

Pro Tips for Authentic Char Siu

Use pork shoulder for juiciness

Pork loin works, but shoulder stays succulent.

Marinate overnight

12–24 hours means deeper flavor penetration.

Baste frequently

Multiple thin layers = glossy lacquered finish.

Use a wire rack

Prevents steaming and allows caramelization.

Char it slightly

Charred edges are a hallmark of true Chinese BBQ pork.

Variations

Honey Garlic Char Siu

Add extra honey and double the garlic.

Spicy Char Siu

Stir in chili paste or sriracha to the marinade.

Air Fryer Version

Cook at 380°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway and basting twice.

Char Siu Chicken

Swap pork for chicken thighs.

What to Serve with Chinese BBQ Pork

• Steamed white rice
• Vegetable fried rice
• Stir-fried noodles
• Pork buns (char siu bao)
• Asian slaw
• Sesame broccoli

It also makes incredible leftovers.

Storage & Freezing

Refrigerator:
Up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:
Freeze sliced pork for up to 2 months.

Reheat:
Warm gently in a skillet or microwave.