What to Serve with Char Siu Pork – 8 Yummy Ideas to Try

I remember the first time I had char siu pork. It was at a small restaurant in Chinatown and I was instantly hooked. The pork was so tender and flavorful, and the sauce was perfect. I knew then that I needed to learn how to make this dish at home.

Now, whenever I make char siu pork, I like to serve it with a few different side dishes. This way, everyone can customize their own meal and add whatever they like.

If you’re like me, it often takes you a while before you’re able to decide on what side dish to have with your main course. What goes well with what? What’s too heavy? What’s too light? It can be a real struggle. But don’t worry, I’m here to help.

Below is a list of side dishes that I think go perfectly with char siu pork. And trust me, I’ve tried them all.

Side Dishes for Char Siu Pork

1. Stir-fried Rice Vermicelli
2. Stir-fried Green Beans
3. Steamed White Rice
4. Broccoli Stir-Fry
5. Steamed Egg Custard
6. Fried Rice
7. Baby Bok Choy Salad
8. Lettuce Wraps

Stir-fried Rice Vermicelli

I’m starting with my absolute favorite: stir-fried rice vermicelli. This dish is so simple, yet so delicious. And it pairs perfectly with char siu pork.

I always love how the rice vermicelli noodles soak up all the wonderful flavors of the pork and sauce, making each bite even better than the last.

I like cooking, and I get bored easily when I’m in the kitchen doing things the same way over and over. Therefore, I’m a sucker for versatility.

That’s why this dish is dear to my heart. You can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste.

For example, if you’re not a fan of green beans, you could replace them with another vegetable like carrots or mushrooms. And if you want some extra protein, feel free to add in some chicken or shrimp. The possibilities are endless!

If you’re looking for a light, healthy and versatile option, this is the perfect side dish for you.

Stir-fried Green Beans

Another great option is stir-fried green beans. These are a staple in Chinese cuisine and they go well with just about anything.

The key to making delicious stir-fried green beans is to get them nice and crispy. I like to fry them until they’re slightly charred and then remove them from the heat.

The green beans will continue to cook in their own heat, so it’s important to take them out before they get too soft.

I usually like to add some garlic and ginger to this dish for an extra kick of flavor. But you can definitely leave these out if you’re not a fan.

Steamed White Rice

Every day, billions of people around the world eat steamed white rice. And there’s a good reason why. It’s simple, it’s delicious and it goes with everything.

What I love about steamed white rice is that it’s the perfect blank canvas for other flavors. The rice soaks up all the wonderful sauce from the char siu pork, making each bite even better.

Plus, it’s a great way to fill up without feeling too full. After all, there’s nothing worse than being so stuffed you can’t move.

Broccoli Stir-Fry

If you’re looking for a heartier side dish, then you’ll love broccoli stir-fry. This is one of my go-to dishes when I’m feeling extra hungry.

It’s also great if you have leftovers because it reheats really well. I like to add some garlic, ginger, and oyster sauce to this dish. But you can definitely customize it to your liking.

Broccoli is packed with nutrients such as fiber, vitamins C and K, iron, manganese, and potassium. What’s more, it’s richer in protein than most vegetables. So it’s a great option if you’re looking for a healthy side dish.

Steamed Egg Custard

Egg custard is a staple in Chinese cuisine. It’s often served as a dessert, but I think it makes a great side dish as well. And I’m not just guessing. I’ve tried it on so many occasions and it pairs well with char siu pork.

The key to making a good egg custard is to get the ratio of eggs to milk just right. Too much milk and it will be too runny. Too much egg and it will be too dense.

For a special spin on my steamed egg custard, I like to add some ginger and green onion for extra flavor. But you can definitely leave these out if you’re not a fan.

The egg custard is light and fluffy, and it has a wonderful creamy texture. It’s the perfect way to end a meal.

Fried Rice

Another great option is fried rice. This dish is so versatile and it can be made with just about anything.

I like to add some char siu pork, green beans, carrots, and ginger to my fried rice. But you can definitely customize it to your liking.

The secret to great fried rice is to get the rice crispy. I like to fry it for a few minutes before removing it from the heat for additional crispness.

The rice will continue to cook in its own heat, so it’s important to take it out before it gets too soft.

Baby Bok Choy Salad

This is a great option if you’re looking for something healthy and refreshing. Baby bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage that’s packed with nutrients.

It has a milder flavor than regular cabbage, making it a great option for salads.

In my baby bok choy salad, I usually add a sesame dressing and some ramen noodles, red wine vinegar, and soy sauce for that extra oomph. But you can definitely leave these out if you’re not a fan.

This salad is the perfect way to start a meal. It’s light and refreshing, and it pairs well with just about anything.

Lettuce Wraps

At the end of the day, we are all looking for something light and refreshing. And lettuce wraps are the perfect solution.

Lettuce wraps are a great way to get your vegetables in without feeling like you’re eating a salad.

If you add some char siu pork, carrots, cucumber, and green onion to your lettuce wraps, it’s going to feel like an explosion – in a good way – on your tongue.

Don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself and see.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I use instead of char siu sauce?

If you don’t have char siu sauce, you can use hoisin sauce, oyster sauce or barbecue sauce. Just make sure to adjust the amount you use because they all have different flavors.

What is the red stuff on Chinese pork?

The red stuff on Chinese pork is typically char siu sauce. It’s a sweet and savory sauce that is used to marinate and cook the pork. It’s made with soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder and rice wine. What’s not to love?

Is char siu Chinese or Japanese?

Char siu is a Chinese dish that consists of roasted pork that is typically served with rice. It can also be served with other side dishes such as broccoli stir-fry, steamed egg custard, fried rice and baby bok choy salad.

Is char siu the same as hoisin sauce?

No, char siu sauce is different from hoisin sauce. Char siu sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that is used to marinate and roast pork. On the other hand, hoisin sauce is a thick, dark brown sauce that is made with soybeans, sugar, garlic and vinegar. It is often used as a dipping sauce or as an ingredient in stir-fries.

What is char siu made of?

Char siu pork is typically made with pork shoulder or pork belly. The meat is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, honey, five-spice powder and red food coloring. It is then roasted until it is slightly charred.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a delicious and succulent dish to serve at your next get-together, look no further than Char Siu pork.

This dish is a supremely delicious way to show off your culinary skills. And with a little help from some tasty side dishes, you’re sure to impress your guests.

As you can see, there are a plethora of fantastic side dishes to choose from. However, it’s crucial to remember that not all side dishes are comparable.

Some side dishes are better than others when it comes to pairing with char siu pork.