Step 1

Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick fry pan. Saute garlic for 30 seconds.

Step 2

Add pork shoulder strips. Sprinkle five-spice powder all over pork. Add sesame oil, hoisin sauce, water, and maltose.

Step 3

Using a pair of tongs, flip the meat when sauce comes to a boil. Place lid over the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the lid and flip the meat again. Cover and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the lid, add salt and dark soy sauce. Cover and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the lid and flip the meat again. Cover and continue to cook for another 15 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the lid. This time the sauce has started to thicken. Once again, flip the meat and allow the sauce to thicken without the lid to a thick and syrupy consistency. Turn off the stove.

Step 8

When char siu is cool enough to handle, slice and serve with rice or noodles.