Authentic Pork Belly Bossam: A Hearty Homemade Feast
Making Bossam & Avengers: Infinity War Review
After being captivated by ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ which was as epic as rumored, I felt the villain was incredibly powerful. That final post-credit scene! Anyway, it helped heal the ‘Black Panther’ wounds. Coming home, not wanting carbs, I decided to make Bossam. A pound cost over 13,000 won – wow, pork is so expensive these days! The vendor highly recommended the ‘jolddaegi’ cut, but I politely declined. I opted for pork belly, which I find offers the perfect angle and is the classic choice.
Boiling Ingredients
- Pork Belly, 1/2 lb (approx. 300g)
- 1/2 Onion
- 5-6 cloves Garlic
- 3 Bay Leaves
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the aromatics to make the bossam deliciously tender. Place the pork belly in a pot and add enough water to fully submerge the meat. Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of doenjang (soybean paste) in the water for added flavor. Add 5-6 whole garlic cloves and half an onion, roughly chopped. Finally, add 3 bay leaves to effectively remove any porky odor and enhance the aroma. (You can ask your butcher for bay leaves when buying the meat.)
Step 2
Now, cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for at least 1 hour to 1.5 hours, until the meat is very tender. To check if the meat is cooked, insert a chopstick or skewer into the thickest part. If clear juices run out without any pinkness, it’s ready. The longer you simmer, the more tender the meat will become, so don’t rush the cooking time.
Step 3
Here’s a tip for slicing the bossam neatly! Think about how professional jokbal (pig’s trotters) restaurants slice their meat. To handle the hot meat safely and prevent slippage, wear a disposable glove over a thicker work glove. This grip will make slicing much easier and cleaner. Allow the cooked pork to cool slightly before slicing it into bite-sized pieces for the best presentation.
Step 4
Your warm and tender pork belly bossam is ready! Enjoy it with your favorite kimchi, pickled radish wraps, and dipping sauces. It’s truly a fantastic meal, delivering a satisfying experience comparable to the epic scale of ‘Avengers: Infinity War.’ Homemade bossam is truly spectacular. Absolutely delicious! ♥
