Grill/Barbecue

Maui Ribs

by:
June  8, 2011
4
4 Ratings
Maui Ribs
Photo by dymnyno
  • Serves (allow about a pound per person)
Author Notes

The holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve are when this recipe has many sentimental memories for me. The ribs are the antidote to the excesses of holiday feasts. We serve them with simple cole slaw and french fries. Once the marinade is prepared, everything is quick and easy! For many years (1950) the rib shack was a Maui institution. When we moved to Maui about 15 years ago, Azeka Makai was THE place for ribs. Wedged between the Ace Hardware store and the Kihei Post Office, it was the scene of daily long lines of surfers, scuba divers, whale watchers, contractors, office staff and in the know tourists(among a lot of others) waiting for the window to open and be lucky enough to get some ribs before they ran out...and they always did! Sadly, Ace expanded and the rib shop lost its place. This is similar to those great tasting ribs, but it is completely my own recipe as I have no access to the actual recipe that was used for the Azeka Mall ribs. Also mine are not quite as sweet, adjusted for my own palate. —dymnyno

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds beef shorts, 1/2 inch thick flanken cut
  • 1 1/2 cups soy sauce
  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 3 tablespoons green onions, minced
  • 1 cup coke or pepsi
Directions
  1. Mix all the ingredients, except the ribs. This recipe will make about 4 cups which is enough for a big crowd of rib lovers. It will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator, sealed. I used less than a cup for 2 pounds. (there's only 2 of us)
  2. Add enough of the marinade to cover. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight...if you get a chance, turn them over at least once.
  3. Prepare a hot BBQ and cook quickly, but don't let them get too black. They are thin so they cook in about 15 minutes or less.
Tags:
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Shawna Sadler
    Shawna Sadler
  • Kitchen Butterfly
    Kitchen Butterfly
  • dymnyno
    dymnyno
  • ibbeachnana
    ibbeachnana
  • boulangere
    boulangere

Popular on Food52

9 Reviews

Shawna S.
Shawna S. July 6, 2013
This worked out really well, very close to the ribs I bought at the grocery store in Azeka mall. I made one small addition with three tablespoons of lemongrass as well. Delicious!
 
Kitchen B.
Kitchen B. June 14, 2011
I never really cook ribs and everytime I order some while out, I end up rushing them....but ending up with a sore mouth, something about the seasonings they use. Since I always down my coke and have never cooked with it.....this is a PERFECT recipe to change all that!
 
dymnyno
dymnyno June 9, 2011
thanks...they are delicious!
 
dymnyno
dymnyno June 9, 2011
I have heard that someone commercialized the sauce, but it would be mass produced, factory blended and probably not very good.
 
dymnyno
dymnyno June 9, 2011
My version of the Azeka ribs is my recollection of the taste of the ribs...I am not claiming that it is authentic. I know that I used less sugar; theirs had a strong brown sugar taste , for example. The name of the rib shack, Azeka, that is associated with the ribs is the name of the shopping center(strip mall) that the shack was located. There still is two malls, located on either side of South Kihei Road; Azeka Makai and Azeka Mauka. (meaning towards the ocean and towards the mountains)
 
ibbeachnana
ibbeachnana June 9, 2011
I made Hawaiian-Azeka Style ribs last month for the dirt cheap contest and they were fabulous. Sorry to hear about Azeka's, but I hear that you can purchase the sauce in some areas.

Never tried the Coke or Pepsi, interesting. I have about 5 lbs of ribs in the freezer so I might have to fire up the grill.
 
boulangere
boulangere June 8, 2011
I've come across recipes calling for Coke or Pepsi and always been skeptical. Good to have validation from one so knowledgeable. Thank you!
 
inpatskitchen
inpatskitchen June 8, 2011
Wow! My next rib BBQ!
 
healthierkitchen
healthierkitchen June 8, 2011
Terrific! This sounds like a great idea as part of our Father's Day barbecue.