Easy Char Siu Sides – Best 30-Minute BBQ Pairings

Char siu is the star of many Cantonese meals, but the right sides can make it truly shine. These Char Siu Sides are my go-to accompaniments: a trio of quick, flavorful dishes that balance the richness of the barbecue pork.

I remember the first time I made char siu at home; I spent hours on the marinade and roast, then served it with plain steamed rice and felt something was missing. That's when I started experimenting with sides that complement the sweet-savory pork without stealing the show.

This recipe brings you three easy sides: a refreshing cucumber salad, garlicky bok choy, and fluffy jasmine rice. Each one comes together in minutes, so you can focus on the main event while still impressing your family or guests.

About the Ingredients

1 English cucumber (about 12 oz / 340g)

Thin-skinned and crisp; regular cucumbers work but peel them if the skin is thick.

1 teaspoon salt

Draws out excess water from the cucumber for a crunchier texture.

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Mild and slightly sweet; substitute with apple cider vinegar if needed.

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Use low-sodium if you prefer less salt.

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Adds nutty aroma; regular sesame oil is stronger, use half.

1 tablespoon sugar

Balances the tang; use honey or maple syrup for a natural alternative.

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Optional for heat; adjust to taste.

1 pound (450g) baby bok choy, halved lengthwise

Look for firm, bright green leaves; regular bok choy can be chopped into 2-inch pieces.

2 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh garlic is best; jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

Adds savory depth; vegetarian mushroom sauce works as a substitute.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Use any neutral oil like canola or grapeseed.

2 cups (360g) jasmine rice, cooked according to package

For fluffy rice, rinse until water runs clear before cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• Slice the cucumber paper-thin for the best texture – use a mandoline if you have one.
• Don't skip salting the cucumber; it prevents a watery salad.
• Bok choy cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking – it should stay bright green and crisp-tender.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the cucumber

Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Toss with salt and let sit in a colander for 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Rinse and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture.

2. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes until sugar dissolves.

3. Marinate the cucumber

Combine the cucumber slices with the dressing in a bowl. Toss well and refrigerate while you prepare the bok choy.

4. Blanch the bok choy

Bring a pot of water to a boil (212°F / 100°C). Add the bok choy and cook for 1 minute until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.

5. Sauté the garlic

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Add garlic and stir-fry for 15 seconds until fragrant but not browned.

6. Add bok choy and sauce

Add the blanched bok choy and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the leaves are coated and the stems are crisp-tender. The sauce should bubble and glaze the greens.

7. Cook the rice

If you haven't already, cook jasmine rice according to package directions. For best results, use a rice cooker or pot with a tight lid.

8. Serve and enjoy

Arrange the rice on a platter, top with char siu, and serve the cucumber salad and bok choy on the side. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired.

Delicious Variations

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Add 1 teaspoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the dressing.

Garlic Green Beans

Substitute green beans for bok choy and blanch for 2 minutes.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

Stir in chopped cilantro and lime zest after cooking the rice.

How to Store Char Siu Sides

Frequently Asked Questions

Try these sides with your next char siu and let me know which one your family loves most! Small changes like a crunchy salad can make a big difference.

Char Siu Sides

Perfectly sticky-sweet char siu sides ready in 30 minutes. Easy, versatile, and a crowd-pleaser for any BBQ meal.

★★★★½ 4.8 (156 ratings)

15 minPrep time10 minCook time6Servings185 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 1 English cucumber (about 12 oz / 340g)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 pound (450g) baby bok choy, halved lengthwise
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups (360g) jasmine rice, cooked according to package

📋 Instructions

1. 1Prep the cucumber — Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. Toss with salt and let sit in a colander for 10 minutes to draw out excess water. Rinse and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture.
2. 2Make the dressing — In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes until sugar dissolves.
3. 3Marinate the cucumber — Combine the cucumber slices with the dressing in a bowl. Toss well and refrigerate while you prepare the bok choy.
4. 4Blanch the bok choy — Bring a pot of water to a boil (212°F / 100°C). Add the bok choy and cook for 1 minute until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
5. 5Sauté the garlic — Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Add garlic and stir-fry for 15 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
6. 6Add bok choy and sauce — Add the blanched bok choy and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the leaves are coated and the stems are crisp-tender. The sauce should bubble and glaze the greens.
7. 7Cook the rice — If you haven't already, cook jasmine rice according to package directions. For best results, use a rice cooker or pot with a tight lid.
8. 8Serve and enjoy — Arrange the rice on a platter, top with char siu, and serve the cucumber salad and bok choy on the side. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Note: These sides are the perfect balance to the sweet, savory char siu. Enjoy the simplicity!

Servings: 6

Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Course: Side Dish

Nutrition (per serving): 185 kcal · 4g protein · 33g carbs · 4g fat

Written by Marta Hernandez
Marta writes about home organization and decluttering, focusing on simple systems that work for busy families. She shares practical tips for turning chaotic spaces into calm, functional areas.