Soy Braised Pork Belly
Equipment
Ingredients
Pork Belly and Eggs:
- 8 oz pork belly
- 2 eggs
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ inch piece ginger, sliced
Braising Sauce:
- 1.5 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon five-spice powder
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Boil eggs for 7 minutes. Transfer to ice water and soak for 2 minutes, then gently crack the shells and let them sit for another 5 minutes to loosen the shell. Peel and set aside.
- Slice pork belly into thin strips. Finely chop onion, mince garlic, and slice ginger.
- In a pan, sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add pork belly and ginger to the same pan with vinegar. Sear until browned, about 3 minutes.
- Add dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and five-spice powder. Stir and cook until the mixture starts to boil.
- Add back the onions and garlic to the pan, pour in water, and bring to a boil. Add eggs, cover, and simmer on low heat for 1 hour.
- Uncover and cook on high heat until the sauce reduces and becomes glossy.
- Slice the eggs and serve with pork belly over rice. Garnish with scallions, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
A piece of tender pork belly is one of my favorite foods…ever. This Soy Braised Pork Belly encapsulates my love for pork belly in a single meal! Cooking it low and slow makes the pork belly melt-in-your-mouth tender, and that thick, glossy sauce clings to every bite. Throw the Soy Braised Pork Belly on top of a bowl of rice and add a soft-boiled egg for a meal that makes you want to slow down and savor every bite.
Making Your Pork Belly Extra Tender
The key to achieving melt-in-your-mouth pork belly is braising it low and slow. Cooking it in a flavorful soy-based sauce allows the fat to render down, making the pork incredibly tender while infusing it with the salty-sweet flavors of the sauce. The addition of five-spice powder brings warmth and depth, while the vinegar helps cut through the richness, giving you a well-balanced bite every time.
Making A Delicious Braising Liquid
I’ve made a lot of soy-based braises, but this one hits differently. The combination of dark and light soy sauce gives the sauce a deep, savory backbone, while the sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance it out. The five-spice powder adds a warm, aromatic note that lingers after every bite. And that glossy finish? That’s what makes it so addictive.
Five-Spice Powder: Asian cuisine’s powerhouse ingredient
Five-spice powder, a combination of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, szechuan peppercorns and fennel seeds, is used in many Chinese recipes. It has a very unique flavor profile and is essential for this dish. Just like any combination spice (think Pumpkin Pie Spice or Curry Spice), you can make it yourself. However, I find that it’s easier to just pick up a spice jar from the local grocery store. A little goes a long way so having a jar in the pantry is handy for future recipes. If you like this dish, try my Coca Cola Braised Chicken that uses five-spice powder too.
The Perfect Cozy Dinner
This dish is one of those meals that feels like a hug in a bowl. The tender pork belly paired with soft eggs and a rich, savory sauce over warm rice is exactly what you want on a cold night. If you want to add a vegetable, steamed greens such as bok choy adds a peppery bite to balance out the dish. Soy Braised Pork Belly reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or a next-day lunch. I think it even tastes better the next day! Once you’ve made it, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe whenever you need a comforting, hearty meal.
