Chinese barbecued pork, known as char siu or cha shao, is a quintessential Cantonese dish that is ubiquitous in Chinese restaurants around the world. The tender, sweet slices of reddish-brown roasted pork are used in various dishes but are also delicious eaten on their own. Finding high-quality char siu can be a challenge, however, depending on where you live. This article will explore the best places to buy authentic, delicious Chinese BBQ pork.

Asian Supermarkets

One of the best places to find char siu is at Asian supermarkets, especially those that cater to Chinese and Southeast Asian customers. Some specific chains to look for include:

H Mart

This rapidly expanding Asian supermarket chain has over 90 locations predominantly on the East and West Coasts of the US. Check their store locator to find one near you. Their char siu selection can be found in the prepared foods section, often freshly roasted each day on-site. H Mart is known for its high-quality meat and produce.

99 Ranch Market

Another Chinese-owned American supermarket chain, 99 Ranch Market has over 50 locations, mostly in California but with stores in Texas, Washington, Nevada, and New Jersey too. Their char siu can be found in the deli section and is generally very affordable while still being tasty.

Hong Kong Supermarket

Despite the name, Hong Kong Supermarket is actually an American chain with half a dozen locales around the San Gabriel Valley region of California. Their char siu is freshly roasted in-house every day. Get there early for the best selection.

Seafood City

This rapidly growing Filipino-focused supermarket chain has nearly 30 locations, mostly in California but expanding to other states. Their char siu can be found in the prepared food sections of stores. The pork tastes Filipino-influenced, using cane vinegar in the marinade.

Local Asian Grocery Stores

Don’t overlook independently owned Chinese and Asian grocery stores in your area. They will likely have char siu either behind the butcher counter or in prepared food sections. Quality can vary greatly between stores, so try a few to compare.

Pro Tip: Check labeling and packaging dates to find the freshest char siu at Asian markets. Marinade causes the meat to spoil faster, so aim for packaging dates within a week if possible.

Chinese Bakeries

Another fantastic place to find mouthwatering, melt-in-your-mouth char siu is at Chinese bakeries. Look for these treats:

• Char siu buns – Soft steamed buns stuffed with sweet BBQ pork and sometimes eggs too.
• Char siu sou – Flaky baked puff pastry pockets filled with diced char siu.
• Char siu balls – Ground pork mixed with char siu diced up, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep fried.

Some Chinese bakery chains to look for include 85°C Bakery Cafe and Tous les Jours. But independent bakeries will also likely have their own homemade char siu specialties.

Chinese Roast Meat Shops

In some Chinese communities, you can find specialized roast meat shops that focus entirely on roasted and barbecued meats. They will have hanging carcasses of glistening crimson char siu just waiting to be sliced up for you. Some places to look for include:

• Roast Meat Shops in Los Angeles, CA’s San Gabriel Valley.
• Chinatown Roast Meat Shops in New York City.
• Roast Meat Shops in Vancouver and Toronto’s Chinatowns.

These roast meat shops slice up char siu perfectly thin, often into half-pound portions. You can also typically find other roast meats like soy sauce chicken, roast pork belly, and duck.

Chinese Restaurants

While less convenient for quickly grabbing some char siu to go, most any Chinese restaurant that has roast meat on the menu will have char siu available. Higher-end Cantonese restaurants will typically have higher quality, tastier cuts of perfectly marinated and grilled pork. Ask if they have whole roasted char siu hanging in the kitchen that they can slice to order.

Some menu items to look for:

• Char siu rice bowls or plates – Slices of pork over steamed rice.
• Char siu noodles – Roast pork with noodles in broth or sauce.
• Char siu bao – The same steamed bun as Chinese bakeries but usually homemade.

Recipe Kits and Online Ordering

If you don’t live near any good sources of char siu, all is not lost! Many online retailers now sell recipe kits and fully cooked char siu that can be shipped anywhere:

• HungryPanda – Meal kit delivery service that serves the Asian diaspora community. Their char siu kit provides marinated raw pork belly for you to cook at home along with sauces and spices. They deliver across most of the continental US.
• iGourmet.com – Offers fully cooked char siu that you simply reheat at home. Also available are smoked and roasted duck and chicken.
• Sayweee.com – Asian grocery delivery service that ships frozen and refrigerated char siu as well as many other meats, produce, and pantry items nationwide.
• Goldbelly.com – Ships renowned char siu and roast duck from top restaurants around the country.

With these online options, you can get restaurant-quality char siu even if you don’t live near an Asian enclave. It’s more expensive but perfect for an occasional treat!

Making Your Own

If you want the freshest, most homemade taste, you can also easily make your own char siu at home:

Ingredients

• Pork belly or pork shoulder/butt
• Honey
• Hoisin sauce
• Soy sauce
• 5 spice powder
• Red food coloring (optional)

Marinade & Roast

• Mix together marinade ingredients and let pork marinade overnight
• Roast in oven at 325°F for 1-2 hours until caramelized
• Let rest 10 minutes before slicing

Tips

• Ask your butcher for boneless, skinless pork for easy prep
• Use cooking rack and pan to allow fat to drain while roasting
• Pork belly gives the most tender, juicy meat

Making your own char siu is very rewarding and allows you to adjust flavors to your taste. Give it a try!

Storing and Reheating Char Siu

Char siu has a relatively short shelf life compared to other roasted meats due to its sugar and moisture content. Properly stored, it will last 5-7 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer.

To reheat, slices of char siu can be quickly pan-fried or stir-fried. Steaming and microwaving are other common options. Just make sure not to overcook it or the pork will become tough.

For maximum flavor and food safety, try to eat char siu within a week of purchasing or making it. Only reheat small portions at a time.

Popular Ways to Eat Char Siu

Beyond just eating the sliced BBQ pork on its own, here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy char siu:

Bao Buns

Tender steamed buns stuffed with sweet and savory slices of char siu. Often served as dim sum or appetizers.

Chow Mein

Chinese-American crispy noodles with char siu, vegetables, and sauce. Beloved comfort food.

Fried Rice

The char siu is diced up and stir-fried with rice and aromatics for flavor and texture. Often served as an entree.

Wontons

Ground char siu and veggies stuffed into dumplings that are steamed, fried, or served in soup.

Noodle Soups

Slices of char siu and noodles in broth make for a comforting meal. Try char siu with ramen, udon, mee pok, or wonton noodle soup.

Saur Pao

A hole is poked in fluffy bread rolls and stuffed with Chinese sausage and char siu for a breakfast treat.

Mix up your char siu routine by trying it in all sorts of dishes! It’s incredibly versatile.

Don’t Settle for Subpar Char Siu!

In summary, real traditional Chinese char siu can be elusive if you don’t know where to look for it. Avoid those sad roasted pork slices in generic takeout joints. With this guide, you now have all the inside information on where to get your hands on tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth char siu that will make your tastebuds sing!

From Asian supermarkets to restaurants to online mail order, you have more options than ever to get amazing barbecue pork. So go forth and enjoy outstanding cha shao anytime you crave it! Your pursuit of porky perfection ends here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu)

Char siu is a flavorful Cantonese roasted meat that is tremendously popular around the world. Here are answers to some common questions people have about buying and preparing this delicious barbecue pork:

What cut of pork is best for making char siu?

Pork shoulder, also called Boston butt, is the best choice. It has the right balance of fat and meat. Pork belly and loin can also work well. Avoid very lean cuts like tenderloin, as they will dry out.

Does char siu need to be red?

Authentic char siu gets its distinctive red color from food coloring added to the marinade. This is not strictly necessary, though the dish will look more typical and attractive with the color. The red also helps the sugars caramelize.

What is the difference between char siu and siu yuk?

Char siu is the Cantonese name for Chinese barbecue pork, while siu yuk or Hong Kong-style roasted pork refers to crackling-skinned pork belly. Siu yuk has dry rub spices rather than the wet marinade used for char siu.

How long does char siu last refrigerated?

Freshly cooked char siu will last for 5-7 days refrigerated. It does not freeze well, becoming soggy when thawed. For maximum flavor and food safety, try to eat it within a few days.

Can you reheat char siu in the microwave?

Yes, you can reheat small portions of char siu in the microwave by covering the meat with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Reheating too long will make the meat tough.

What is the difference between char siu and Cha Shao?

Char siu and cha shao are simply two different romanization systems for writing the Cantonese name for Chinese BBQ pork. Char siu is older and more common worldwide. The two terms can be used interchangeably.

What is the best marinade for making char siu?

A marinade of honey, hoisin sauce, sherry, five spice powder and soy sauce gives the flavors people most associate with char siu. Garlic, ginger and sesame oil also enhance the pork’s flavor.

Can you freeze char siu?

Freezing is not recommended, as the high moisture content will cause the meat textures to degrade and make it mushy once thawed. Refrigeration preserves freshness best for char siu.

How do you keep char siu moist?

Using pork with some fat, like shoulder helps. Don’t overcook it – roast until just cooked through. Resting it after cooking and slicing across the grain helps retain moisture when eating.

Conclusion

Char siu, or Chinese barbecued pork, is a mouthwatering Cantonese specialty that is loved all over the world. With this guide, you now know the best places to source high-quality char siu locally or order online. You also have expert knowledge for how to store, reheat, and enjoy char siu in all sorts of delectable dishes.

Equipped with this information, you can become a connoisseur of succulent, tender roasted pork. Impress your family and friends with homecooked char siu. Or just treat yourself to the perfect BBQ pork anytime you get a hankering. Whatever your craving, seek out only the most flavorful, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth char siu. Your taste buds will thank you!