Char Siew

One of the most delectable creations of the Chinese kitchen has got to be char siew or sweet barbecued pork. Traditionally, it’s marinated in a mixture of honey, five spice powder, soy and hoisin sauce. Some even add rice wine to the marinade. Usually char siew is made with either the belly or neck of the pig which are tender and full of fat. After marinating, the pieces of meat are skewered and cooked in an oven over charcoal fire. Distinctive for its sweet caramelised coat, tender char siew is highly sought after. Premium char siew has a generous layer of fat to give it a tender bite. Usually you can find char siew at restaurants which serve barbecue meats for lunchtime. Most people ask for a selection of chicken, roasted pork (siew yuk) and char siew served with rice. Another popular use for char siew is as a topping for wonton mee or as stuffing in dim sum buns. Nowadays with the rising prices of pork, char siew has even become a premium item in Chinese restaurants. Here are five places to indulge in this delicacy.

Soo Kee Restaurant
373-1 4th Mile, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Open: 12am to 9pm. Closed on Monday.
Legendary among KL-lites for the 19 years it’s been in business, the char siew at Soo Kee has the pre-requisite sticky caramelised layer encasing soft meat and fat. Although they also serve other barbecue meats like roast duck and roast chicken, everyone makes a beeline for the char siew. Priced at RM10 for a small portion, its melt-in-your-mouth texture is unforgettable. Pair it with cooked vegetables or even steamed fish which Soo Kee is also popular for. Even though development of the highway has taken over the shop front, it remains popular among regulars.

Meng Kee Char Siu
13 Tengkat Tong Shin, Kuala Lumpur
Open: 11am to 2pm. Closed on Sunday.
Another old timer which has dazzled us with its char siew for 20 years, this is a must-have for Char Siew fans. Belly pork, one of the best parts, is used for the mouth watering char siew here. Come early for lunch as the wait for a table can be daunting. They have also recently opened a branch at Glenmarie, Shah Alam which is run by the patriarch’s daughter. Open for breakfast, they also serve wonton mee with char siew.

Famous Seremban Favourites
80-1 (Ground Floor), Jalan PJU 1/3B,  Sunway Mas Commercial Centre, Petaling Jaya.
Open: 7.30am to 5.30pm. Closed on the Tuesday.
Although this place is relatively new and serves Seremban favourites like Hakka mee, its char siew is the main draw. Here the char siew is tender even down to the lean pieces. Not as sweet which is good for the health conscious, you can adjust the sweetness of the char siew by adding more of the sauce which is served on the side. Service can be a bit slow though especially during peak times. If you like your char siew fresh from the oven, try to get here by 10.30am. 

Restoran Meng Shiang
1 & 3, Jalan Kas Kas 2, Taman Cheras (Taman Yulek), Kuala Lumpur.
Open: 7.30am to 3pm. Closed alternate Tuesday.
Don’t expect wafer thin slices of char siew with your wonton mee here. Meng Shiang serves chopped roughly chunks of the delicacy. Appearances can be deceiving as the char siew has a lean and dry look. One bite, however, and you’ll be hooked on the tender meat served with juicy wonton and springy noodles. Aside from char siew, this stall also serves other barbecued meats like pork ribs and chicken which is popular for lunch.

Restaurant Overseas
84-88, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur.
Open: 12pm to 10pm.
Known more for their cooked dishes, the Chinese restaurant also serves barbecued meats like suckling pig, ducks and char siew which is chopped on request. Priced at a hefty RM25 for a small plate, the char siew here melts in your mouth. It’s addictive with a sweet blackish layer and tender layers of fat and meat. Even though the sweet layer tends to stick to the teeth, it’s totally worth it.

TEXT & PHOTOS KY LEE

Published in Issue #109