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Char Siu Sauce

This easy homemade char siu sauce is sweet, savory, and packed with classic Cantonese BBQ flavor. Made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, and five spice, it’s glossy, sticky, and perfect for marinating pork, chicken, or even tofu.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Bee Yinn Low - Rasa Malaysia

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 2 Tbsp honey or maltose
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp five spice powder
  • ½ tsp white pepper powder
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sweet soy sauce or Kecap Manis, optional

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Heat a saucepan over medium to low heat. Stir in the sauce and blend well.
  • Once the sauce starts to bubble and boil, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool.

Notes

¼ cup is enough for 350g of pork or chicken.

Delicious Ways to Use

This homemade Char Siu Sauce isn’t just for BBQ pork. It’s super versatile and adds instant flavor to almost anything. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
  • Classic Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork): Brush the sauce generously over pork shoulder or pork belly, then roast or grill until caramelized and glossy. That’s the iconic Cantonese char siu you see hanging in shop windows, only better because it’s homemade.
  • Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): Use this sauce to coat chopped BBQ pork for steamed or baked buns. It gives the filling that glossy, flavorful coating and just the right balance of sweet and savory that makes every bite so good.
  • Grilled or Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken: Marinate chicken thighs or wings in the sauce for a few hours, then grill or air fry until golden and sticky. It’s smoky, juicy, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Tofu Or Veggie Stir-Fry: Brush the sauce over pan-fried tofu or mix it into your favorite veggies like bok choy, mushrooms, or broccoli for a quick, flavor-packed meal.
  • Glaze For Meats Or Seafood: Use it as a finishing glaze for ribs, shrimp, or salmon. Brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking to get that shiny, caramelized coating.
  • Rice Bowl Sauce: Drizzle a spoonful over steamed rice, a fried egg, and some stir-fried greens. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor.