Wuxi Spareribs

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 50 min
  • Active: 35 min
These rich and juicy pork ribs are falling-off-the-bone tender after slowly braising in a mixture of soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon and rock sugar. The dish originated in the town of Wuxi (pronounced woo-shee) located outside Shanghai. It’s a popular dish in Shanghai-style restaurants but quite easy to make at home with just a bit more than an hour of braising time needed for irresistible results. The ribs with their thick, sweet-salty sauce pair well with a bowl of rice and a vegetable side. Wuxi spareribs are traditionally sweetened with rock sugar, but brown sugar is a good substitute if you can’t find it.
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Ingredients

4 1/2 pounds center cut pork spareribs, cut into individual ribs

6 tablespoons light soy sauce

6 tablespoons Shaoxing wine

3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil

4 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces

One 1-inch piece ginger, sliced into 1/4-inch coins

1 1/2 ounces rock sugar or brown sugar (about 3 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons dark soy sauce

2 star anise pods

1 cinnamon stick

1 1/2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder

Directions

  1. Combine the spareribs, 3 tablespoons of the light soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of the Shaoxing wine in a large bowl and toss until evenly mixed. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for a few minutes or up to half an hour.
  2. Heat a wok over medium-high heat until it just starts to smoke, about 3 minutes. Swirl in the oil. Working in batches if necessary, add the ribs and sear in a single layer in the wok until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Rotate the ribs so all sides get browned. If there is a lot of fat in the wok pour off all but 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add the scallions and ginger to the ribs in the wok and stir-fry until the scallions are wilted, about 2 minutes. Swirl in the remaining 4 tablespoons Shaoxing wine and stir-fry until evaporated. Stir in 2 cups cold water, the remaining 3 tablespoons light soy sauce, the rock sugar, dark soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon sticks and chicken bouillon powder. Cover, bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and gently simmer the ribs until tender, about 1 hour, tossing them occasionally.
  4. Remove the lid and simmer, uncovered, over medium-high heat until the sauce is thickened and glazes the ribs, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the star anise, cinnamon stick and ginger if desired and serve immediately.

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