Discovering Alberta BBQ Flavors in Hainan China

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Living in Hainan, China, has brought us many culinary adventures, but discovering Blaze BBQ has been a delightful experience that brought back nostalgic flavors from home.

Blaze BBQ, nestled in our neighborhood, serves up Western-style braised BBQ beef brisket, pork, and chicken wings, all prepared in a traditional wood fire oven.

Table of contents

A Culinary Delight

We were particularly excited to try the BBQ beef brisket, a dish we don’t often eat but were eager to sample.

At Blaze BBQ, the beef is roasted to perfection, and portions are cut from a large, succulent roasted hip.

The meat literally falls apart, a testament to its tenderness and the careful cooking process.

Watch this video to see our order of BBQ beef brisket:

This brisket is melt in your mouth outstanding!

Sides and Sauces

To accompany the main dish, Blaze BBQ offers a variety of sides, including baked beans, fresh salads, and other carb options.

Their homemade spicy BBQ sauce adds a fiery kick typical of Chinese cuisine. For those who prefer milder flavors, there’s a lightly spiced sauce that offers a gentler heat.

Additionally, the honey BBQ sauce, paired with freshly sliced white onions and jalapeno peppers, creates a mouthwatering blend of sweet, spicy, and savory.

A Taste of Alberta in Hainan

The BBQ beef at Blaze BBQ was a reminder of how we prepare BBQ beef back home in Alberta, Canada.

Here’s my favorite recipe that mirrors the melt-in-your-mouth experience we enjoyed at Blaze BBQ:

Recipe Ingredients

A nice cut of beef
Water and apple cider vinegar (for rinsing)
Salt and a touch of oil (to prevent sticking)
Diced garlic and onions
Seasonings of your choice
Kraft Italian Salad Dressing (for tenderizing)
Your favorite BBQ sauce (we love Bull’s Eye, but homemade works too!)

Instructions

Rinse the beef in a little water and apple cider vinegar.
In a slow cooker, add a little salt to the bottom and a touch of oil.
Place the beef inside and top with diced garlic, onions, and any other seasonings you like.
Add a bit of Kraft Italian Salad Dressing. The vinegar and oil in the dressing help break down the fibers in the meat, making it very tender.
Top with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.

Watch this short video of the BBQ beef I prepared in my kitchen in China:

New Zealand beef is readily available in China and it is delicious because it is grass-fed beef.

Final Thoughts

Blaze BBQ is a rare gem in our Hainan neighborhood, offering a delicious fusion of Western BBQ flavors with a Chinese twist.

The tender, flavorful meats and variety of sauces and sides are a nice blend when I am feeling a little homesick. The experience is a delightful culinary journey and a comforting reminder of the tastes and traditions we cherish from Alberta.