Chinese Char Siu Spare Ribs
Chinese Char Siu Spare Ribs are a beloved Cantonese barbecue dish featuring pork ribs coated in a sweet and savory glaze. The signature marinade typically includes ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey or maltose, Chinese five-spice powder, and rice wine, giving the ribs their characteristic reddish hue and sticky, caramelized exterior. This dish is a staple in Cantonese cuisine, often found in BBQ shops and family gatherings.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the pork ribs and significant in fat due to the marbling and glaze. It provides key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie estimate of 400-600 calories per serving depending on the cut and sauce amount.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 550 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 25 g |
| Fat | 35 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Zinc | 6 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 300 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 8 mg |
| Selenium | 30 mcg |
Per 1 serving (about 300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the red color of Char Siu symbolizes good luck and prosperity, making it a festive dish for celebrations like Lunar New Year. Nutritionally, the five-spice powder blend (often containing star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel) not only adds flavor but also contains compounds with antioxidant properties.
