Wuxi, just two hours outside of Shanghai and often referred to as Little Shanghai, is a bustling city known for its silk. It was once called Youxi, meaning "has tin," but the tin reserves were depleted during the Han dynasty, and so Wuxi, which translates as "without tin," became its new name. These spareribs are one of the city's signature dishes.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings(as part of a Chinese meal)

　　1 scallion, trimmed, plus 1 tablespoon chopped scallion

　　1 pound pork spareribs, cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces by butcher

　　1/3 cup Chinese rice wine (preferably Shaoxing) or medium-dry Sherry

　　1 tablespoon regular soy sauce (sometimes labeled "thin")

　　1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (sometimes labeled "superior")

　　3 cups plus 1 tablespoon water

　　1 (1/2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices

　　1 1/2 teaspoons star anise pieces (not whole)

　　1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

　　1 1/2 tablespoons coarsely crushed yellow rock sugar (sometimes labeled "yellow rock candy")

　　1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

　　1 teaspoon cornstarch

　　1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil

　　1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

　　

Step 1

Blanch whole scallion in a 4-quart pot of boiling water until softened, about 1 minute. Transfer scallion to a work surface and return pot of water to a boil. Add ribs to boiling water and return to a boil, then immediately drain ribs in a colander. Transfer ribs to a wide 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy pot. Carefully tie blanched scallion into a knot and add to pot with ribs.

　　

Step 2

Add wine, soy sauces, 3 cups water, ginger, anise, cinnamon, sugar, and pepper to pot with ribs and simmer, covered, until meat is just tender, about 1 hour. Remove lid and boil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by three fourths and meat is very tender, about 20 minutes more. Whisk together cornstarch and remaining tablespoon water in a cup. Reduce heat to moderate and add cornstarch mixture to ribs, then cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil. Serve sprinkled with chopped scallion and cilantro.