Definition

1. Noun:
   • Char siu: A popular Cantonese-style barbecued or roasted pork dish. The meat, typically pork shoulder or belly, is marinated in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and red fermented bean curd, which gives it a characteristic sweet-salty flavor and a reddish-brown or glossy appearance. It is a common ingredient in many Vietnamese-Chinese dishes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tôi muốn mua nửa cân xá xíu. (I want to buy half a pound of char siu.)
  • Mì xá xíu là món ăn yêu thích của tôi. (Char siu noodles are my favorite dish.)
  • Xá xíu này có màu đỏ rất đẹp. (This char siu has a very beautiful red color.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "xá xíu" is used primarily as a noun to refer to the prepared meat itself. It is often served as a topping for rice or noodle dishes, or as a filling in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches.

Variants and Related Words

• Thịt xá xíu: A more descriptive term meaning "char siu meat."

  • Bánh mì thịt xá xíu rất ngon. (Char siu meat banh mi is very delicious.)

• Xá xíu quay: Refers specifically to roasted char siu, emphasizing the cooking method.

  • Quán này nổi tiếng với món xá xíu quay. (This restaurant is famous for its roasted char siu.)

Synonyms

• Char siu: The direct English transliteration from Cantonese.
• Chinese barbecued pork: A descriptive English term.
• Red roasted pork: Another descriptive term highlighting its color and cooking method.

Related Dishes and Terms

• Cơm xá xíu: Char siu rice, a common plate meal.

  • Anh ấy gọi một phần cơm xá xíu. (He ordered a portion of char siu rice.)

• Bánh bao xá xíu: Steamed bun filled with char siu.

  • Bánh bao xá xíu thường được ăn vào bữa sáng. (Char siu steamed buns are often eaten for breakfast.)