Tang Cu Pai Gu (Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs)
No pineapples, no vegetables! Black Authentic Boned Sugar Pork
Description
One of the roots of Japanese 'Subuta' (Sweet & Sour Pork). In authentic Southern China (Shanghai), absolutely zero vegetables or pineapples are used. It strictly features 'bone-in pork spare ribs' braised heavily in Zhenjiang black vinegar and rock sugar until pitch-black and sticky.
Restaurants serving Tang Cu Pai Gu (Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs)
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The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Bone-in pork spare ribs
- Zhenjiang Vinegar(Black vinegar)
- Rock sugar
- Soy sauce
- White sesame
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Chop bone-in pork spare ribs into bite-sized pieces, soak to purge blood, and blanch with scallion/ginger to remove scum.
- Marinate with soy and wine, then flash-fry in high heat until the exterior is crispy.
- Melt massive rock sugar in oil to create a 'Tang Se' (caramel), tossing the ribs in it to coat them in amber.
- Pour in the golden ratio sauce: [Wine:Soy:Sugar:Black Vinegar:Water = 1:2:3:4:5].
- Cover and simmer on low for 30-
- mins until the meat easily pulls from the bone.
- Blast the heat at the end to 'Shou Zhi' (reduce the liquid) until the pitch-black vinegar/sugar glaze becomes as thick as syrup, coating the ribs in a brilliant mirror-like shine. Garnish with sesame.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Rich tartness of Zhenjiang Vinegar、Rock sugar depth
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Japanese Subuta (but cuts and flavors totally differ)
Pairing
Shaoxing Wine / Jasmine Tea
Trivia
[Trivia] The Japanese adaptation of 'adding vegetables and pineapple to bulk up the dish and add color' is often criticized by locals who argue it 'muddies the pure umami of the meat and vinegar'.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Hold the bone with chopsticks and scrape the meat off with your teeth. The pitch-black glaze has lost all harsh acidic bite, revealing an astonishingly mellow, deep, and complex sweetness.
Allergen
Pork, Soybeans, Wheat, Sesame