Char Su spice packetOur favorite local Hawaiian restaurant closed down in 2012.  Even though there are two more within driving distance, they don’t taste the same.  My favorite Hawaiian flavor is Char Su it is a little sweet like most hawaiian sauces, but just different.  The base is honey with 5 spices: cinnamon, cloves, anise, pepper, and fennel, plus a handful of other ingredients.  I have not tried to make it at home yet, but when I came across this spice packet in the super market, I immediately needed to try it.  Bonus, there is no MSG!

Tonight I decided to use the spice packet as a rub for pork ribs instead of a marinade.

Ingredients

  • 1 rack of Natural Pork RibsNatural pork ribs in package
  • 1 packet NOH Chinese Barbecue Char Su seasoning mix

Rinse and dry the pork ribs.  Rub the spice packet on both sides of the ribs.  Wrap the ribs in two layers of aluminum foil.  Place ribs in the refrigerator and let marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Char Su rub on ribs

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Place ribs (with foil) on a baking sheet and bake for 3 hourschar su bbq ribs - after baking

char su bbq ribs - finished