Sticky Pork Belly Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Pork & Marinade
- 8 oz thinly sliced pork belly, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp five spice powder
Optional Garnishes
- Scallions
- Egg yolks
Instructions
- Cut thinly sliced pork belly into 1-inch chunks. In a bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and five spice powder. Add the pork belly, toss well, and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Heat a pan with a little oil and place the pork belly pieces in. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Mix everything around and cook for an additional 2 minutes until sticky and caramelized. Remove from heat.
- Serve the pork belly over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally garnish with scallions and an egg yolk, or use a blowtorch to caramelize the pork further.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What Makes Sticky Pork Belly Bites The Ultimate Rice Destroyer
I love pork belly with anything, but these Sticky Pork Belly Bites pair perfectly with literally everything. The fat-to-meat ratio on the pork belly makes every bite SUPER juicy, and the marinade helps caramelize the pork in the pan while also imparting the sweet and salty flavors from the marinade. These sticky pork belly bites mimic the flavors of char siu but are way faster, without an air fryer or any of the roasting! All you need is a hot pan, 25 minutes and then you’ve got one of the best dinners you’ll ever have.
Why Sticky Pork Belly Bites Are So Reliable
This recipe brings the big flavor without the long wait because I know everyone wants to have a tasty meal as quick as possible. The hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauces, and five spice come together to create a sweet, savory, and umami marinade that is very reminiscent of a classic char siu marinade (without the red food dyes!). A bit of brown sugar allows the pork to caramelize, while the pork belly naturally renders out as well which can help even more! If you want those takeout style flavors but in a 25-minute version, and probably cheaper, this is the dish for you.
What You’ll Need To Make Sticky Pork Belly Bites
Pork & Marinade
- 8 oz thinly sliced pork belly, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp five spice powder
Optional Garnishes
- Scallions
- Egg yolks
How to Make Sticky Pork Belly Bites
Cut thinly sliced pork belly into 1-inch chunks. In a bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and five spice powder. Add the pork belly, toss well, and marinate for 15 minutes.
Heat a pan with a little oil and place the pork belly pieces in. Cook for 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Mix everything around and cook for an additional 2 minutes until sticky and caramelized. Remove from heat.
Serve the pork belly over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally garnish with scallions and an egg yolk, or use a blowtorch to caramelize the pork further.
Tips and Variations
• Use skinless pork belly for the best sear and bite, skin-on pork belly causes it to be quite chewy
• Don’t overcrowd the pan, that’ll cause the pork to not caramelize as well!
• If you want something to serve it with, try out some shredded cabbage, that’s how it’s traditionally served!
• If you have any leftovers (which I doubt), toss them in a pan and warm up on medium low heat for 3 minutes a side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use thick-cut pork belly instead of thinly sliced?
You can, but it’ll take longer to cook through and crisp up, which may cause the outside to burn a little more. Thin slices ensure quick caramelization and better marinade absorption.
Can I meal prep this?
Yes! These pork belly bites reheat great. Just pan-fry for a few minutes the next day to crisp them back up. You can also microwave them for 2 minutes if you don’t have access to a stove.
What if I don’t have five spice powder?
It adds that signature warmth and depth, but you can skip it or sub a pinch of cinnamon and ground fennel for a similar taste profile. I personally prefer to omit it if I don’t have it.
Is the egg yolk garnish safe to eat?
Use pasteurized egg yolks if you’re concerned, or skip it entirely it’s mostly for that extra richness, kind of like Sukiyaki!
What’s the best rice to serve this with?
Short-grain white rice like jasmine or sushi rice is ideal becase it soaks up all the sauce and balances the fattiness.
Try These Next
Craving more sweet and salty flavors? You’ll love my Honey Butter Chicken Tenders!
Want more pork belly? Try my Honey Glazed Pork Belly.
Looking for something with a little more protein? Check out my Thai Basil Chicken!
