~ Grilling Around the Globe: Asian BBQ ~
n the States, we often think of barbecue as a Dixieland delicacy, but communal round-the-fire cooking is far older than the American South. Around the world, fire pits, smokers, and grills are fired up for an endless number of meat-centric dishes. Korean barbecue is an elaborate feast of thinly sliced, marinated meats and side dishes. The Southeast Asian fascination with skewers—most famously Indonesian satay—has spawned regional styles hundreds of recipes strong. And Filipino Inasal is as much a celebrated street food consisting mostly of meat skewers. Whether you call it BBQ, Inasal or goi-gui, it is a cooking method that involves grilling meat over an open flame, creating delicious flavors and mouth-watering aromas.
Chinese barbecue, also known as “char siu,” is a popular dish in Cantonese cuisine that consists of roasted pork that is sweet and savory. The pork is marinated in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder, giving it a distinct flavor. Chinese barbecue is often served with steamed rice, noodles, or in a variety of dishes such as fried rice or noodle soups.
n the States, we often think of barbecue as a Dixieland delicacy, but communal round-the-fire cooking is far older than the American South. Around the world, fire pits, smokers, and grills are fired up for an endless number of meat-centric dishes. Korean barbecue is an elaborate feast of thinly sliced, marinated meats and side dishes. The Southeast Asian fascination with skewers—most famously Indonesian satay—has spawned regional styles hundreds of recipes strong. And Filipino Inasal is as much a celebrated street food consisting mostly of meat skewers. Whether you call it BBQ, Inasal or goi-gui, it is a cooking method that involves grilling meat over an open flame, creating delicious flavors and mouth-watering aromas.
Chinese barbecue, also known as “char siu,” is a popular dish in Cantonese cuisine that consists of roasted pork that is sweet and savory. The pork is marinated in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder, giving it a distinct flavor. Chinese barbecue is often served with steamed rice, noodles, or in a variety of dishes such as fried rice or noodle soups.
In Japan, barbecue is called yakiniku, which means “grilled meat” in Japanese. It is a popular dining experience where customers grill their meat at their table using a charcoal or gas grill. The meat is usually marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and served with sides such as kimchi, rice, and miso soup.
Korean barbecue, also known as “gogi-gui,” is a popular style of dining in Korea that involves grilling meat at the table. The meat is often marinated in a savory and sweet sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar. Korean barbecue is typically served with a variety of side dishes, such as kimchi, pickled vegetables, and rice.
Filipino barbecue, also known as “inasal,” is a popular street food in the Philippines that is made from marinated chicken or pork skewered and grilled over hot coals. The marinade is typically made from a combination of soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, garlic, and vinegar, giving the meat a sweet and tangy flavor. Filipino barbecue is often served with rice and a side of atchara, which is a pickled papaya salad.
International barbecue is a celebration of culture and community that has taken on different forms around the world. From the slow-smoked brisket in Texas to the sizzling yakiniku in Japan, each country has its own unique take on the art of BBQ. So the next time you fire up the grill, try something new and embrace the diversity of international barbecue.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ pounds Murray’s Farms boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup banana ketchup (recipe below)
- 2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup Sprite
- 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- Scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
Note: Allow at least one day for marinating.
Instructions:
- Combine soy sauce, banana ketchup, pepper, Sprite, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, sugar, and salt in a bowl; add chicken and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Light a grill. Thread chicken onto skewers, reserving marinade, and brush with oil; grill, turning as needed and brushing with reserved marinade until charred and cooked, about 12 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with scallions and crispy garlic chips.
Serve with Crispy Garlic Chips:
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil and the sliced garlic in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium; cook until garlic is golden, 4–6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic chips to paper towels to drain; set oil aside.