Amazing Chinese Style BBQ Ribs

Ribs
700-900g pork ribs
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 thumb-size piece ginger, finely chopped

Sauce
Thick Ingredients (4 parts)
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
4 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Medium Ingredients (2 parts)
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Light / Balancing Ingredients (1 part each)
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, ketchup and hoisin sauce (the thick ingredients).
3. Add dark soy sauce and rice vinegar and mix well to balance sweetness with acidity and colour.
4. Stir in light soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil to complete the sweet-sour-salty-savoury balance.
5. Add chopped garlic and ginger to the marinade and mix thoroughly.
6. Massage the sauce generously into the pork ribs, ensuring every piece is well coated.

COOKING

1. Arrange ribs on a baking tray lined with foil. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the ribs over, baste with excess sauce and roast for another 15-20 minutes until caramelised and slightly charred.
2. For extra char, place under a hot grill for 3-5 minutes at the end.
3. Rest for a few minutes before serving.

School of Wok Tips

• Follow the 4-2-1 ratio for balance: thick sweet base, medium sour and colour, light salty finishers.
• Dark soy gives colour and glaze, light soy gives saltiness — don’t confuse the two.
• Don’t overload on oyster sauce; it’s savoury and already contains salt.
• For softer ribs, cook low and slow at 140-150°C for 2-3 hours instead of roasting hot and fast.

FAQs

Can I marinate the ribs overnight?
Yes? Marinating overnight deepens flavour and improves caramelisation.

What’s the difference between dark and light soy sauce?
Light soy is thinner and saltier. Dark soy is thicker, slightly sweeter and used for colour and glaze.

Can I cook these on a BBQ instead of the oven?
Yes. Cook over indirect heat first, then finish over direct heat to caramelise the glaze without burning.