Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Char siu is the star at Chinese barbecue shops, or siu mei shops, which is why you’ll see slabs of it hanging in their display windows, alongside slabs of siu yuk (crispy pork belly) and rows of roasted ducks and soy sauce chickens. Tender from a low-and-long roast—but with a little bit of bite—and lacquered in a lightly sweet-savory glaze, char siu is like the final boss of roasted pork preparations.
In this video, chef Tim Chin shows you how to make our (excellent) version of this Cantonese classic at home, using traditional and modern techniques to replicate the char siu that’s slow-roasted in rotisserie charcoal ovens at the best siu mei shops.
And if this recipe piques your interest, you can head over to ChefSteps.com to check out our recipe for Chinese Barbecue Ribs! For the full recipes, sign up for Studio Pass: chefsteps.com/studiopass
Recipes:
Classic Char Siu: chefsteps.com/activities/classic-char-siu
Chinese Barbecue Ribs: chefsteps.com/activities/chinese-barbecue-ribs
Equipment:
Buy a Breville Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro: chefsteps.com/en-us/product/bov950?sku=BOV950BST1BUS1
Buy a Breville Control Grip™ Immersion Blender: chefsteps.com/en-us/product/bsb510?sku=BSB510XL
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
Char siu is the star at Chinese barbecue shops, or siu mei shops, which is why you’ll see slabs of it hanging in their display windows, alongside slabs of siu yuk (crispy pork belly) and rows of roasted ducks and soy sauce chickens. Tender from a low-and-long roast—but with a little bit of bite—and lacquered in a lightly sweet-savory glaze, char siu is like the final boss of roasted pork preparations.
In this video, chef Tim Chin shows you how to make our (excellent) version of this Cantonese classic at home, using traditional and modern techniques to replicate the char siu that’s slow-roasted in rotisserie charcoal ovens at the best siu mei shops.
And if this recipe piques your interest, you can head over to ChefSteps.com to check out our recipe for Chinese Barbecue Ribs! For the full recipes, sign up for Studio Pass: chefsteps.com/studiopass
Recipes:
Classic Char Siu: chefsteps.com/activities/classic-char-siu
Chinese Barbecue Ribs: chefsteps.com/activities/chinese-barbecue-ribs
Equipment:
Buy a Breville Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro: chefsteps.com/en-us/product/bov950?sku=BOV950BST1BUS1
Buy a Breville Control Grip™ Immersion Blender: chefsteps.com/en-us/product/bsb510?sku=BSB510XL
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
