Tasty Southeast Asian Barbecue Specials for the Summer

Summer is for joyful outdoor barbecues to share with your friends and family. It’s also a great time to explore delicious hearty flavours on the grill. Southeast Asian cuisines have a host of uniquely tropical-inspired barbecue flavours that are perfect to enjoy as you bask in the warm sunshine.

These yummy grilled specials are typically enriched with bold aromatics and flavour-packed sauces, giving them a range of mouth-watering flavours from savoury-sweet to spicy with refreshing tangy notes and more. So, let’s explore some Southeast Asian grilled wonders and the marvellous marinades, glazes and dipping sauces that make them ‘sunny’ and extra yummy!

Malaysian Satay Kajang

The rustic township of Kajang, Malaysia, is famed for its exceptionally tasty satay skewers, featuring chunky, juicy meats served with a thick spicy, sweet, tangy and nutty dipping sauce that wondrously matches the skewers’ umami-rich flavour and piquant aroma.

For the marinade, Kecap Manis sweet soy sauce and dark soy sauce develops the satay’s flavour depth, melded with the earthy aromas of cumin and turmeric, the spicy warmth of galangal, the refreshing fragrance of lemongrass and coriander, as well as savoury notes of garlic and shallots. The marinade’s complex flavour is seamlessly imbued into meat as you grill, and builds into a tantalising golden-brown glaze.

The irresistible aroma of sizzling satay makes these skewers a perfect addition to a sunny BBQ, best enjoyed hot off the grill with plenty of dipping sauce! Come check out our step-by-step recipe to make your own Satay Kajang!

Filipino Toyomansi Pork Chops

Two main ingredients make up the tangy, savoury flavour of Filipino Toyomansi sauce blend: light soy sauce and calamansi juice. A popular traditional mix that embodies the core taste profile of Filipino cuisine with a wide variety of cooking uses, including the tasty marinade for this scrumptious grilled pork chop. The light soy sauce and calamansi mix is uplifted with savoury garlic and a touch of piquant black pepper to accentuate the pork’s succulent taste. Grilled till golden brown and lightly charred for a tantalising aroma. Enjoy with steamed rice, refreshing tomato slices and boiled eggs for a hearty meal!

Balinese Sate Lilit

Satay skewers are widely enjoyed across the Southeast Asian archipelago, and every cuisine has their own unique satay flavour. While most satays feature skewered meat slices, the Balinese Sate Lilit is specially made with a seasoned chicken mince mix instead. Infused with fragrant lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coriander seeds, nutty toasted coconut, then blended with a sambal paste. The mixture is moulded around lemongrass or bamboo skewers and grilled until golden on the outside, while remaining tender and juicy inside. These aromatic skewers are perfect for adding a Balinese twist to your BBQ backyard, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce!

Lemongrass Pork Ribs

Lemongrass is among the common aromatics in Southeast Asian cooking that gives dishes a rich tropical, citrusy aroma. This Vietnamese grilled pork ribs’ marinade blends lemongrass with garlic, sugar, savoury fish sauce, spring onions and floral banana shallots. Rubbed thoroughly into the ribs, with the rich aromas and flavours built and deepened on the grill. The glaze then coats the ribs as they grill to build an extra layer of savoury-sweet flavour with delicious caramelised notes and an appetising golden-brown finish. Simple to make, and hearty to savour!

ABC Sauces are great to flavour your summer barbecues

Nothing brings a summer BBQ together quite like delicious grilled food shared with friends and family. ABC Kecap Manis Sweet Soy Sauce and Extra Hot Chilli Sauce are amazing to elevate your summer barbecues with a bold, sweet-savoury and spicy flavour punch. Delicately made with premium ingredients to give harmonious and tantalising tastes for your barbecue marinade mixes, glazes, and dipping sauce. Here are two delicious Southeast Asian grilled delights enlivened with ABC sauces for you to try at your next summer gathering!

Indonesian-Inspired Grilled Chicken & Pineapple Skewer

Bring a touch of tropical sweetness to your summer BBQ with these Indonesian-inspired chicken and pineapple skewers! Tender chicken bites marinated with lemongrass, ABC Sweet Soy Sauce, light soy sauce and oyster sauce for a rich umami-sweet flavour. The thick, syrupy texture of ABC Sweet Soy Sauce helps coat the chicken evenly, giving the skewers a beautiful caramelised finish on the grill. Paired with juicy pineapple and piquant onions, every bite brings together delicious savoury, sweet and tangy flavours. Glazed with a blend of ABC Sweet Soy Sauce, garlic, and lime juice, then served with ABC Extra Hot Chilli Sauce that excites and whets your appetite. Perfect for sharing at your next backyard BBQ! Make and taste it with our recipe!

ABC Sweet Soy Sauce Grilled Vegetables

No summer BBQ spread is complete without a colourful selection of grilled vegetables! This wholesome and refreshing modern Asian delight features eggplant, portobello mushrooms, capsicum, asparagus, cherry tomatoes and broccolini. Aromatised with lemon, mint, garlic and red onion. Grilled until tender with lightly charred edges, the vegetables are dressed with the sweet-savoury oomph of ABC Sweet Soy Sauce. Easy to make with our recipe!