Exploring the Delightful World of Pork Belly: Mytour's Culinary Journey

Pork belly, a widely-used cut, transforms into a myriad of delectable dishes. Packed with nutrients, featuring a perfect blend of lean meat and fat, it offers a tender texture, ideal for frying, grilling, stir-frying, and more. Join Mytour in the kitchen to whip up some mouthwatering pork belly creations that will captivate your taste buds!

1. Crispy Pork Belly with Fish Sauce

The first culinary masterpiece in Mytour's Pork Belly Paradise is the crispy pork belly with fish sauce. The thin layer of coating adds a delightful crunch, complemented by the zesty, aromatic blend of fish sauce, garlic, and onions. Just a glance is enough to make your mouth water.

Preparing the Ingredients:

• 500 grams of pork belly
• 5 chili peppers
• 4 – 5 cloves of garlic
• 4 – 5 dried shallots
• 2 branches of ginger
• 2 lemongrass stalks
• 100 grams of crispy frying flour
• Seasonings: bouillon, salt, MSG, fish sauce, cooking oil

Photo: Compiled

Instructions:

• Remove the tough outer layer of lemongrass, crush, and finely chop. Finely chop garlic and chili.
• Season the pork belly with salt and boil with ginger and 1 teaspoon of salt for 5 minutes. Drain, cut into bite-sized pieces, and score the skin with a knife (helps to make the skin crispier when frying).
• Marinate the meat with lemongrass, garlic, finely chopped chili, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of MSG, and ½ teaspoon of bouillon. Marinate for 20 minutes.
• Frying the meat: coat the marinated meat with crispy frying flour and deep-fry in hot oil until evenly cooked on both sides.
• After frying, use the same pan (drain excess oil if there's too much), sauté the remaining onions, garlic, and chili until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of sugar, stir well. Add the fried meat and toss in the sauce for about 3 – 4 minutes. When serving, cut into pieces and enjoy with fresh vegetables and rice.

2. Pork Belly Rolls with Shiitake Mushrooms

Tender pork belly, paired with crispy shiitake mushrooms soaked in rich sauce, enhanced with a hint of fragrant white sesame seeds, makes this dish irresistibly appealing. You can prepare this for your everyday meals or elevate your barbecue parties.

Preparing the Ingredients:

• 2 packs of shiitake mushrooms
• 200 grams of thinly sliced pork belly
• 1 bulb of garlic
• Several sprigs of green onions
• 2 limes
• 2 – 3 chili peppers
• Seasonings: salt, cooking oil, sugar, pepper

Photo: Compiled

Instructions:

• Trim the base of the mushrooms, separate the strands, and soak in diluted saltwater for 15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and squeeze out excess water. Cut off the white ends of the green onions, blanch the leaves in boiling water until tender. Peel and crush the garlic. Extract lime juice. Finely chop the chili peppers.
• If the pork belly is not pre-sliced, rinse it with clean water, pat dry, and place it in the freezer for about 20 – 30 minutes. The meat will firm up, making it easier to slice thinly. If you buy pre-sliced pork belly from the supermarket, you can roll it directly.
• Marinate the meat with a pinch of pepper, a dash of seasoning, sesame oil, and crushed garlic for 15 minutes.
• Spread the meat on a flat surface, place a small amount of mushrooms, and roll it up. Tie it with green onion strands. Repeat until all the ingredients are used.
• Heat a pan, add cooking oil or butter, and grill the rolled pork until evenly cooked.
• For the pork belly rolls with mushrooms, you can prepare a dipping sauce with soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or spicy chili sauce – all delicious options.

3. Braised Pork Belly in Coconut Water

A delicious dish featuring pork belly that undoubtedly deserves the title of a national favorite is the braised pork belly in coconut water or Chinese-style braised pork belly. The pork belly is tender, the young coconut flesh is chewy, the quail eggs are delightful, and the highlight is the rich meaty broth, making it a perfect companion for rice!

Preparing the Ingredients:

• 500 grams of pork belly (choose a thick piece with an even mix of lean meat and fat for a tender and moist result)
• 200ml coconut water
• 200ml filtered water
• 3 – 4 chicken eggs (or quail eggs)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon bouillon
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon MSG
• Purple onions, green onions
• Rock sugar (if not available, prepare 20 grams of white sugar)

Photo: Compiled

Instructions:

• Peel and finely chop the dry onions. Trim the roots of the green onions and wash them thoroughly.
• Rub salt on the pork belly, rinse with clean water, and slice into bite-sized pieces (about 1 – 2cm thick). Marinate the meat with fish sauce, bouillon, sugar, MSG, and chopped purple onions for at least 1 hour.
• Boil the eggs, peel, and cut in half for chicken eggs or leave whole for quail eggs.
• Prepare the caramelized sugar: Heat a pot, add white sugar, set the heat to the lowest, stir to prevent burning. When the sugar turns amber, turn off the heat.
• Braise the pork: Sauté the chopped purple onions, then add the pork belly and stir until the meat firms up. Add caramelized sugar, coconut water, and filtered water. Adjust the water level to fully submerge the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, simmer until the meat is tender. Season again if needed, add the eggs, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes before turning off the heat. Dish is ready.

4. Crispy Fried Pork Belly

Simple yet delicious, crispy fried pork belly remains a delightful choice among pork belly dishes. All you need is flour, eggs, seasoning, and pork belly for a tasty treat!

Preparing the Ingredients:

• 300 grams of pork belly (avoid thinly sliced)
• All-purpose flour and cornstarch
• 1 small piece of ginger
• 1 cooking wine (optional)
• 1 chicken egg
• 1 teaspoon bouillon

Photo: Compiled

Instructions:

• Clean and pat dry the pork, cut into slices about 0.5 – 1cm thick and 5cm wide. Massage the meat with a bit of ginger, green onions, and 60ml cooking wine to remove odor, then rinse with water.
• Next, add a pinch of bouillon, pepper, and a chicken egg (to make the meat tender and flavorful). Mix well and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then, add cornstarch and a bit of wheat flour to make the mixture slightly sticky (avoid making it too dry).
• Heat the oil and fry the meat until golden on both sides. Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning. Serve with garlic chili fish sauce and enjoy it with hot rice.

5. Honey Glazed Grilled Pork Belly

A classic dish among delicious pork belly recipes is the honey glazed grilled pork belly. Similar to char siu, the standout feature is the harmonious sweet-savory taste paired with tender meat. You can grill this dish in the oven, over charcoal, or using an air fryer. (See more: Air fryer honey glazed grilled pork belly recipe for a delightful experience)

Preparing the Ingredients:

• 500 grams of pork belly
• 2 – 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 – 3 slices of ginger
• 4 – 5 dried shallots

Marinade:

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon five-spice powder
• Ground pepper

Photo: China Sichuan Food

Instructions:

• Prepare the pork belly (remove excess fat, eliminate odor with salt and white wine), rinse with clean water, and pat dry. Marinate the meat with finely chopped onions, garlic, and other ingredients for at least 3 – 4 hours; the longer, the better. Keep it in the refrigerator.
• Prepare a small bowl: mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon marinating liquid to brush on both sides of the meat before grilling.
• Grill using an oven: preheat the oven to 180°C for 10 minutes. Place a baking tray underneath to catch the sauce dripping from the meat. Grill at 160°C for 15 minutes in the first round, then at 140°C for 10 minutes in the second round.
• Grill using an air fryer: grill at 170°C for 20 minutes in the first round, then at 150°C for 15 minutes in the second round.
• Note: Flip the meat and brush with honey and marinating liquid between rounds.

See more: 4 tempting recipes for braised spare ribs to pair with rice

6. Stir-Fried Pork Belly with Vegetables in Oyster Sauce

Prepare the Ingredients

• 100 grams pork belly
• 100 grams white/green cabbage
• ½ carrot
• 4 – 5 baby corn
• A handful of shiitake mushrooms (or any preferred mushrooms)
• Scallions, cilantro
• Chopped garlic
• Cornstarch or tapioca starch
• Seasonings: bouillon powder, MSG, cooking oil, oyster sauce

Photo: Compiled

Method:

• Slice the pork belly thinly. Clean the cabbage and cut into bite-sized pieces. Remove the stems from the mushrooms, slice, and soak in a mild saltwater solution, then rinse and squeeze out excess water.
• Peel and slice the carrot into rounds. Clean the baby corn and halve lengthwise. Chop the scallions finely.
• Heat a pan, sauté garlic, and add the pork. Season with 1 tablespoon bouillon powder. Once the pork is firm, add cabbage, carrot, baby corn, and mushrooms. Add 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, and ½ teaspoon MSG.
• Include ½ cup of water to help the vegetables cook quickly. Adjust the seasoning. Mix in diluted cornstarch to achieve thickness (optional). Finally, add scallions, pepper, and sesame oil.

7. Fresh Spring Rolls

If you're averse to fried or oily dishes, these fresh spring rolls are the perfect choice. This delightful dish features tenderly boiled pork belly, combined with rice paper and various fresh vegetables, served with a spicy fish sauce.

Ingredients:

• 700 grams pork
• 500 grams fresh rice vermicelli
• 1/2 ripe pineapple
• 1 carrot
• 1 cucumber
• 2 green bananas
• 1 branch of ginger
• 2 – 3 cloves of garlic
• Lettuce, herbs, coriander (optional)
• Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, lime, chili

Method:

• Season the pork with salt and lime, rinse. Blanch in boiling water for 2 – 3 minutes, discard the water, and rinse the meat again with clean water. Boil for a second time, add 1 teaspoon fish sauce, ginger, and crushed garlic. When the meat is cooked, place it on a plate, and when it cools, slice it thinly (you can refrigerate the meat for 15 -20 minutes, it will be easier to slice when firm).
• Peel and julienne the carrot and cucumber. Peel the green bananas, slice, and soak in a bowl of diluted saltwater (add ice) to prevent browning. Peel the pineapple, remove the eyes, and slice thinly like cucumber.
• Clean and pat dry various herbs.
• Place the rice paper on a flat surface, moisten the surface slightly. Add lettuce, herbs, vermicelli, carrot, green banana, pineapple, cucumber, and meat, and roll tightly by hand. You can either roll as you eat or prepare a batch in advance.
• This boiled meat salad can be served with spicy fish sauce or savory fish sauce.

Related: Step-by-step guide on How to Make Dipping Sauce for Spring Rolls from easy to advanced

8. Roasted Pork Belly with Betel Leaves

A fragrant and uniquely flavored grilled dish that is irresistibly addictive. Let's head to the kitchen and make this roasted pork belly with betel leaves for the weekend!

Ingredients:

• 300 grams of pork belly
• 50 grams of betel leaves
• 2 dried onions
• 3 – 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
• Seasonings: bouillon, fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, black pepper
• Bamboo skewers (or stainless steel)

Photo: Cookbeo

Instructions:

• Season the pork with salt, rinse, pat dry, and cut into thin slices about 0.5cm wide and 2 – 3 cm long.
• Clean the betel leaves, separate the large leaves for wrapping the meat, and crush the small leaves for marinating the meat.
• Peel and finely chop the dried onions and garlic.
• Marinate the meat with: 3 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, chopped onions and garlic, and a bit of cooking oil. Add the crushed betel leaves. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll the meat into the betel leaves and skewer on bamboo sticks. Don't place the meat too close; otherwise, it will be difficult to cook. Grill the skewers in an air fryer at 160 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes, repeating about 3 times (turn the skewers and brush with a layer of sesame oil between each time).
• Once the grilled skewers are ready, place them on absorbent paper, then arrange them on a plate and serve with chili sauce.

9. Kimchi Pork Soup

Whether it's winter or summer, a steaming hot bowl of kimchi soup with tender pork and crunchy mushrooms is irresistibly enticing. With its sour and spicy flavors, paired with tender pork and crisp mushrooms, this dish is a perfect match for hot rice. Let's create this delicious dish using pork belly!

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of pork belly (you can buy pre-sliced pork belly from the supermarket)
• 150 grams of kimchi
• 100 grams of enoki mushrooms (or shiitake mushrooms)
• 100 grams of young tofu (1 box)
• Baro onions
• 1 liter of bone broth (or water if unavailable)
• 2 teaspoons of Korean chili paste
• Seasonings: bouillon, seasoning powder, sugar

Image: Collected

Instructions:

• Soak enoki mushrooms in diluted saltwater for 15 minutes, rinse, and drain. Lay the meat flat, place a portion of mushrooms on it, and roll evenly.
• Cut young tofu into pieces. Chop kimchi into small chunks. Slice baro onions diagonally.
• Heat cooking oil in a soup pot, briefly sauté kimchi. Pour in 1 liter of water, then add Korean chili paste, seasonings, seasoning powder, and sugar to taste.
• When the water boils again, add young tofu and the rolled mushroom meat. Gently stir to avoid breaking the tofu. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, add baro onions, then turn off the heat.

10. Crispy Lemongrass Pork Belly

Transforming the ordinary crispy pork belly with a tantalizing sweet and sour twist. The pork belly is both tender and crunchy, infused with the aromatic blend of garlic and lemongrass, complemented by an irresistible sweet and spicy flavor.

Prepare the Ingredients:

• 350 grams pork belly
• 3 stalks lemongrass
• 5–7 kumquats
• 4–5 dried shallots
• 2–3 bird's eye chilies
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1–2 slices of ginger
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, ground pepper, shrimp salt

Image: Collected

Instructions:

• Clean the pork belly, rub with salt and lime to eliminate odor, then rinse with clean water. Boil the meat for 3–5 minutes in boiling water (add a little salt, ginger, and garlic for fragrance). Boiling the meat will prevent splattering during frying.
• Thinly slice the boiled meat. Heat a pan, sauté garlic until fragrant, and stir-fry the pork until golden. Then remove and drain excess oil.
• Clean and thinly slice the kumquat. Shred the dried shallots, soak in ice water. Slice bird's eye chilies. Remove the old leaves from lemongrass and slice thinly.
• Prepare the spice mixture: ½ tablespoon shrimp salt, ½ tablespoon sugar, ½ tablespoon fish sauce, lemongrass, chili, kumquat. Mix well to marinate for 10 minutes. Arrange on a plate, garnish with cilantro.

So here you have it, the completion of these 10 delectable recipes with pork belly. Now, you won't have to worry about what to eat today! Don't forget to explore more delicious recipes on Mytour Blog!

Explore more:

• What delicious dishes can you make with pork ribs?
• Secrets to making flavorful roasted pork with pickled mustard greens