Traditional-Style Marinated Grilled Pork

Ingredients

• 500g pork shoulder

• 1 whole bulb of garlic

• 3 stalks of scallions

• 1 tablespoon honey

Seasonings: seasoning powder, salt, sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, ground pepper, and cooking oil.

Instructions

First, peel the garlic and trim the scallions. Wash all ingredients thoroughly and let them drain. Crush the garlic, then finely chop it and set aside. Separate the white part of the scallions from the green part. Finely chop the scallion whites and slice the green tops thinly, keeping them separate.

Rinse the pork shoulder with diluted salt water to remove any impurities, then rinse again with clean water and allow it to drain completely. Cut the pork into medium-sized slices with an even thickness. Using a meat mallet, gently pound the pork to tenderize it, helping the meat absorb the marinade better and stay juicy after grilling.

Once the meat is prepared, marinate it with 1 tablespoon seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon high-quality fish sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon chopped scallion whites, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. Mix everything thoroughly so the seasoning coats each slice evenly. Cover and marinate for about 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.

After marinating, the pork can be grilled over charcoal or baked in an oven, depending on your preference. This traditional-style grilled pork is especially suitable for dishes like broken rice (cơm tấm) or vermicelli noodles with grilled pork (bún thịt nướng). The result is tender, fragrant meat with a rich, slightly sweet and savory flavor that closely resembles authentic Vietnamese street food.

BBQ-Style Marinated Grilled Pork

Ingredients

• 500g pork belly

• 1 bulb garlic

• 1 shallot

• Seasoning powder, salt, sugar, fish sauce, ground pepper

• Chili sauce

• Oyster sauce

• Cooking oil

Instructions

Peel the garlic and shallot, rinse them clean, then crush and finely chop. Set aside.

Wash the pork belly thoroughly with diluted salt water, then rinse with clean water and let it drain. Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, ensuring a good balance of lean meat and fat for a juicy texture when grilled.

Marinate the pork with 1 tablespoon seasoning powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, 1/3 teaspoon ground pepper, and 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Add the chopped garlic and shallot, then mix well so the pork absorbs the seasoning evenly. Let the meat marinate for 1–2 hours for the best flavor.

Once the pork is well-marinated, thread it evenly onto skewers. Grill over charcoal or a gas grill until the meat is cooked through, slightly charred on the edges, and releases a tempting smoky aroma—just like a true BBQ party.

Prepared this way, grilled pork becomes a perfect centerpiece for family gatherings or weekend barbecues. Not only does it deliver bold, mouthwatering flavors, but it also creates joyful moments as everyone gathers around the grill to enjoy a homemade meal together. Sounds irresistible, doesn’t it? This weekend, give these grilled pork marinades a try and treat your family to a delicious feast.