John Henry’s Chinese 5 Spice Rub

Elevate your grill or kitchen game with John Henry’s Chinese 5 Spice Rub — a masterfully crafted seasoning that brings the aromatic depth of the Far East to your favorite proteins and vegetables.

 “A well-balanced blend of the five aromatic spices that capture the essence of Chinese cuisine, this spice represents the five fundamental flavors — sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.”

Why you’ll love it:

• An authentic blend that channels Chinese five-spice tradition: star-anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, Szechuan-style pepper and more.
• Versatile: works on pork, poultry, seafood, tofu, vegetables, even rice dishes.

Usage tips:

• For pork or chicken: Pat meat dry, use ~1–2 Tbsp per pound, let it rest 10-15 minutes, then grill or roast until internal temperature is safe.
• For seafood or tofu: Lightly coat with oil, sprinkle ~1 Tbsp per pound or per 2-3 cups of veggies, then cook quickly (grill, sear or roast).
• For finishing touch: After cooking, add a light sprinkle of rub for extra aromatic flair.
• Stir-fry or wok dish: Add ~1 Tbsp rub to oil then add vegetables/meat for an instant flavour base.

Flavor profile:

• Expect rich aromas of star anise and cinnamon with warm cloves and sweet fennel, balanced by subtle pepper and savory undertones.
• The blend evokes the “five flavours” principle (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami) common in Chinese culinary tradition.

Perfect for:

• Pork shoulder, baby-back ribs or chops
• Roasted chicken or duck (whole bird or parts)
• Salmon, shrimp, or firm white fish with a flavour twist
• Roasted vegetables like sweet potato, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts
• Tofu or tempeh when you want bold, global flavor

Elevate your cooking:

Step beyond basic salt-and-pepper or standard BBQ rubs—go global. With Chinese 5 Spice Rub,  bring bold aromatic depth, balanced spice and a global flavour profile to your grill, oven or skillet.

Awesome On What Type of Food

• grilled or roasted pork ribs or shoulder
• roasted chicken or duck
• salmon or shrimp
• Roasted vegetables (sweet potato, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
• Even as a finishing sprinkle for rice bowls or tofu