Perhaps the world’s most famous barbecue meat in the world is the Cantonese-style Chinese barbecue pork “Char Siu”.
Traditionally, this meat is sold by vendors who hang it in glass cases at their shops along with other roasted meat such as roast duck and crispy-skinned roast pork.
The sight of whole ducks, slabs of pork, and the sticky char siew dripping with their own fat, combined with their aroma wafting through, will surely make anyone drool.
The perfect char siu needs to have a good fat-to-meat ratio, with marbled cuts to keep the meat juicy, tender, and moist.
The soy and sugar marinade gives char siu a toasty, savoury and sweet flavour, and the roasting process, which is traditionally done over charcoal but now more commonly in a combi or gas oven, creates a charred exterior.
Char siu is hugely popular in Guangzhou, where I come from, and also in neighbouring Hong Kong.
More often than not, people would order a mixed platter containing slices of char siu along with the crispy roast pork and roast duck, served over steaming hot white rice and a side of green vegetables.
My top 5 places in Auckland for the best char siu:
1. 華軒 Welfare BBQ 29 Aviemore Drive, Highland Park
Their char siu strikes a perfect balance between lean and fatty cuts — juicy, tender, and wrapped in a delicate honey glaze. It’s sweet, savoury, and incredibly satisfying. A humble shop with heart, also known for excellent siu yuk (roast pork).
2. 双喜烧腊 Double Happy Barbecue Shop 278 Great South Road, Otahuhu
This hidden gem delivers quality cuts with a beautifully roasted finish. I personally love the slightly leaner char siu with just enough marbling for that satisfying richness. Their roast meats are equally worth trying — a spot clearly run with care and passion.
3. SUM MADE 11 Davies Drive, Albany, North Shore
The char siu here is made from pork belly, but what makes it special is the special “secret recipe” black sauce that is used to marinate the pork. It also comes with perfectly charred and crispy bits that a good char siew must have.
4. HUAMI, SKYCITY SkyCity 87 Federal Street, Auckland Central
The Manukau-glazed char siu is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It is sweet, tender and served with a creamy house-made mustard sauce that goes perfectly with the barbecued pork.
5. JC ROAST Browns Bay and West Gate, 33-47 Northside Drive
JC Roast’s char siu is succulent and decadent and has a perfect fat-to-meat ratio. The good amount of fat provides a good umami flavour and juice, and their sauce is simply magic.
