As a means of exceptional flavor and preparation, charsiu's applications extend far beyond pork. In Hawaii, a variety of meats are cooked charsiu style. The term "charsiu" refers to meats which have been marinated in charsiu seasoning prepared either from scratch or from store-bought charsiu seasoning packages, then roasted in an oven or over a fire. Ingredients in marinades for charsiu are similar to those found in China (honey, five-spice, wine, soy, hoisin, etc.), except that red food coloring is often used in place of the red bean curd for convenience. Charsiu is used to marinate and prepare a variety of meats which can either be cooked in a conventional or convection oven (often not requiring the use of a fork or "Cha(zi)" as traditional Chinese ovens do), on a standard Barbecue, or even in an underground Hawaiian imu. In Hawaii, Charsiu chicken is as common as charsiu pork, and a variety of wild birds, mountain goat, and wild boar are also often cooked charsiu style, as are many sausages and skewers.
As charsiu grows in popularirty, innovative chefs from around the world, especially chefs from around the Pacific Rim, from Australia to California, are using various meats prepared "charsiu" style in their cuisines and culinary creations.
