Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean (Pai Gwat)

Pai Gwat is a bold and flavorful dim sum dish featuring bite-sized spare rib pieces that are marinated in a fragrant mixture of fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil before being steamed to tender perfection. The fermented black beans are the star of this dish — their deeply savory, slightly pungent flavor penetrates the meat during steaming, creating an irresistible umami-rich sauce that pools around the ribs. Red chili slices and scallions are added for heat and freshness. The ribs are cooked until the meat is just tender enough to pull off the bone with a gentle tug, but still maintains some chew. The entire dish is typically served in the bamboo steamer basket it was cooked in, making for a rustic and authentic presentation. Pai Gwat is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy bold, savory flavors.