Zibo BBQ

Zibo BBQ

Zibo BBQ is a home-style meat dish at difficulty 4/5 (Advanced), about 650 kcal. This is a specialty BBQ from Zibo, Shandong. Ingredients and step-by-step instructions are below, with notes for home cooking.

Difficulty

4 / 5

★★★★☆

Advanced
Estimated Calories

650 kcal

Ingredients

  • Pork belly (belly meat)
  • Small flatbread (store-bought)
  • Green onions
  • Sesame paste
  • Sweet bean paste (Sweet flour sauce)
  • Sesame salt
  • BBQ grill
  • Grill rack
  • Charcoal or gas burner

Steps

  1. Cut the pork belly into chunks not exceeding 2cm in thickness, and skewer them. (The pork belly can be marinated beforehand for a better flavor).
  2. Cut green onions into 5cm long pieces and set aside.
  3. Dilute the sesame paste with 10ml of warm water, mix evenly with the sweet bean paste, and set aside. (You can substitute this with 'sesame salt').
  4. Ignite the charcoal and wait until it burns to a **bright red state with no open flame** (about 15 minutes).
  5. Place the pork belly skewers evenly on the grill rack and broil until the *underside is golden brown and starts oozing oil*, then flip.
  6. Continue grilling for approximately 2-3 minutes until *both sides are golden brown and the edges are slightly charred*, then remove.
  7. Place a small flatbread on a plate, spread 3-4g of the mixed sauce onto it.
  8. Add the grilled pork slices and 1-2 pieces of green onion, roll it up, and eat.

Notes

This is a specialty BBQ from Zibo, Shandong. The unique way of eating it involves wrapping meat and green onions in small pancakes. The blend of meat aroma, sauce aroma, and onion aroma creates a rich texture. Pork belly is rich in high-quality protein and fat, while green onions provide dietary fiber; paired with small pancakes, it helps quickly replenish energy. This dish requires skill in controlling the charcoal heat and the broiling technique, making it slightly challenging for beginners, and takes about 40 minutes to complete.

Estimated Difficulty: ★★★★
Estimated Calories: 650 kcal
Category: Zibo BBQ

Notes:
This yields a single serving; multiply proportions for multiple people.

Per serving:

- Pork belly: 200g
- Small flatbread: 5 sheets
- Green onion: 1 stalk (approx. 100g)
- Sesame paste: 20g
- Sweet bean paste: 15g

Tips for preparation:
- It is recommended to freeze the pork belly for 30 minutes before slicing to make cutting into chunks easier.
- Charcoal grilling offers better flavor than gas; a charcoal burner is advised if possible.
- The sauce ratio of sesame paste to sweet bean paste can be adjusted to personal taste, or replaced with sesame salt.

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