Char Siu-Pineapple Bun Burger
Beef Patties, American Cheese, BBQ Char Siu Sauce, Pickled Mustard Greens, Dill Pickles, Roasted Scallion Aïoli, Cilantro, Pineapple Bun
Chef Philip Kim and Thomas Jarrow of Hotline Burger | Houston, TX
Adapted by StarChefs | October 2025 | Photo: Will Blunt
INGREDIENTS
BBQ Char Siu Sauce:
Yield: 1 cup
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons red wine
1½ tablespoons garlic salt
1½ tablespoons hoisin sauce
1½ tablespoons Shaoxing wine
1½ cubes red fermented bean curd
1½ teaspoons five-spice powder
3 tablespoons maltose
2 tablespoons honey
Pickled Mustard Greens:
Yield: 1 pint
½ cup white vinegar
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound curly mustard greens, trimmed
Roasted Scallion Aïoli:
Yield: 1 cup
Neutral oil
8 whole scallions
2 egg yolks
2 garlic cloves
½ teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Juice of ½ lemon
⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
To Assemble and Serve:
Yield: 1 serving
1 pineapple bun (bolo bao)
Two 2½-ounce beef patties
2 slices American cheese
Kosher dill pickles
Chopped cilantro
METHOD
For the BBQ Char Siu Sauce:
In a mixing bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, red wine, garlic salt, hoisin, Shaoxing wine, fermented bean curd, and five-spice powder. Whisk in maltose and honey. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
For the Pickled Mustard Greens:
In a nonreactive container, combine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch mustard greens 90 seconds, and immediately shock in ice bath. Once cooled, squeeze out excess water and pat dry. Transfer to work surface and chop into 1-inch pieces. Submerge in brine. Cover and let sit 24 hours at room temperature. Refrigerate.
For the Roasted Scallion Aïoli:
In a sauté pan over medium-high flame, heat oil. Add scallions and cook until lightly charred. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let drain. Once cooled, cut charred scallions into 2-inch pieces. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, garlic, mustard, salt, and lemon. Stream in oil, whisking constantly until mixture is fully emulsified. Stir in roasted scallions and set aside.
To Assemble and Serve:
Prepare and heat a grill. Add beef patties to hot grill and cook to desired doneness. Place 1 slice cheese on each patty and continue to grill until cheese is fully melted. Set aside. On bottom half of pineapple bun, spread desired amount BBQ Char Siu Sauce. Top with beef patties, pickles, desired amount Pickled Mustard Greens, desired amount Roasted Scallion Aïoli, and cilantro. Close sandwich and serve warm.
