Asian flavors captivate consumer imagination with new global flavor discovery. Chefs wanting to elevate flavor experiences can look to Asian-style pork skewers as a jumping off point for inspiration.

Here, we utilize fresh pork’s blank canvas (ground, sliced, cubed) as the featured ingredient for culinary creativity with skewer-style creations, zeroing in on seven areas where Asian influences produce next-level, on-trend tastes that generate menu excitement.

1

GLAZES/SPRITZES

Glazing or spritzing a pork skewer during cooking, with trend-forward Asian profiles, produces a caramelized, textured stickiness—along with enticing hues and charred bits—which create delectable, heightened mouthfeel.

• Tamarind + galangal + turmeric + orange juice + fish sauce + honey glaze
• Okinawan black sugar + soy sauce-caramel glaze
• Tropical fruit-gastrique spritz

2

SPICE BLENDS

Rolling a cooked pork skewer in a signature Asian-infused dry spice blend imparts an immediate pop of external flavor to complement every succulent savory bite.

• Star anise + cinnamon + clove + coriander + cracked black pepper + dried scallion
• Matcha sea salt + black sesame seeds + red chile
• Black garlic + onion + Sichuan peppercorns + sugar + flaked salt

3

SCHMEARS

Applying a housemade Asian-centric schmear to one side of the pork skewer right before service creates an impactful and highly visual punch of flavor.

• Togarashi Gremolata (cilantro, shiso leaf, lime zest, gingerroot, togarashi, oil)
• Malay “Romesco” (red chiles, roasted tomato, garlic, roasted peanuts, ginger, lemongrass, pandan, mirin, oil)
• Thai Chermoula (Thai basil, mint, cilantro, lime, coconut flakes, chili paste, shallot, cumin, salt, oil)

4

BUTTER BASTING

Basting a pork skewer during cooking with bold Asian-flavored whipped butter (or unsweetened coconut cream) creates nuanced, rich flavors ideal for complementing pork’s versatility.

• Sriracha + yuzu + butter
• Sambal oelek + kaya + butter
• Miso + coconut sugar + butter

5

DIPPING SAUCES

Accentuate patrons’ love of pork further with a distinctive Asian-flavored dipping sauce that evokes a memorable pork skewer experience.

• Spicy peanut sauce
• Gochujang barbecue sauce
• Soju tare sauce

6

SKEWERING/SERVING MATERIAL

Utilizing a natural element with Asian cues as the skewer or serving vessel imparts subtle flavor into the pork and can communicate ancillary story lines.

• Lemongrass or sugar cane stalk skewer
• Bamboo skewer
• Banana leaf as a handheld serving vessel

7

COOKING MATERIAL/SURFACE

Imparting identifiable flavor on a pork skewer via specific cooking materials/surfaces provides an additional way to shape flavor and story from various Asian regions.

• Binchotan charcoal (authentic Japanese)—known for thermal conductivity, low smoke point, long burn and odorless smoke
• Thaan charcoal (Thai)—budget- and environmentally friendly
• Konro grill (Japanese)—ceramic grill with wire rack

FEATURED RECIPE: Vietnamese Chargrilled Pork Sausage Skewers

Photo Credit: Smithfield Culinary

In these Vietnamese Chargrilled Pork Sausage Skewers, a few simple moves take smoked sausage into the Southeast Asian trend. A nuoc mam dipping sauce introduces funky, spicy and sweet flavors.

Get the recipe