Dim sum dish explainer

Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁排骨)

Small pork rib pieces steamed with fermented black bean sauce. This page explains what it is, how to order it, how to eat it, and what dietary signals to check.

Quick definition

Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁排骨 · chǐ zhī pái gǔ) is small pork rib pieces steamed with fermented black bean sauce.

What it is made of

Pork spare ribs, fermented black beans, garlic, soy sauce, starch, and sometimes chile or bell pepper.

Flavor and texture

Dimension What to expect
Flavor Savory, garlicky, porky, and lightly fermented.
Texture Tender rib pieces with cartilage and bone. The sauce should be glossy.
Category Steamed meats

How to order it

Order as a meat dish to balance dumplings and buns. It is especially good with rice or congee if available.

How to eat it

Eat carefully around bone and cartilage. This is not a boneless meat dish.

Dietary and allergy signals

Contains pork and soy. May contain wheat through soy sauce and possible cooking wine.

For serious allergies or religious dietary requirements, ask the restaurant about fillings, sauces, wrappers, broth, cooking wine, lard, shared steamers, shared fryers, and shared prep surfaces.

Quality signs

The ribs should be tender and seasoned through, not watery or bland.

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