Asian Nine Spice Steak

 I marinated a ribeye overnight in what I call my Asian Nine Spice marinade — soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic, Chinese five-spice, sesame oil, black pepper, and a hit of red pepper flakes.

Cast iron. Medium-high. Four minutes a side.

That lacquered, umami-packed crust you see in these photos — with a perfect medium-rare center.

Uncle A's Asian Nine Spice Steak Marinade

(For 1 to 1.5 lbs — flank, skirt, ribeye, or NY strip)

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar (or honey)
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional — but don't skip it)

Whisk. Marinate 1–4 hours (overnight is better). Pat dry. Sear. Rest 5 minutes. Slice against the grain.