Char Siu - Pacific Rim Cuisine

Pacific Rim Cuisine

As a means of exceptional flavor and preparation, char siu's applications extend far beyond pork. In Hawaii, a variety of meats are cooked char siu style. The term "char siu" refers to meats which have been marinated in charsiu seasoning prepared either from scratch or from store-bought char siu seasoning packages, then roasted in an oven or over a fire. Ingredients in marinades for charsiu are similar to those found in China (honey, five-spice, wine, soy, hoisin, etc.), except that red food coloring is often used in place of the red bean curd for convenience. Char siu is used to marinate and prepare a variety of meats which can either be cooked in a conventional or convection oven (often not requiring the use of a fork or "Cha(zi)" as traditional Chinese ovens do), on a standard Barbecue, or even in an underground Hawaiian imu. In Hawaii, Char siu chicken is as common as char siu pork, and a variety of wild birds, mountain goat, and wild boar are also often cooked char siu style, as are many sausages and skewers.

As char siu grows in popularity, innovative chefs from around the world, especially chefs from around the Pacific Rim, from Australia to California, are using various meats prepared "char siu" style in their cuisines and culinary creations.