Deep & Savory Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice) – Authentic Taiwanese Recipe
Taste of Taiwan at Home! How to Make Delicious Lu Rou Fan, Braised Pork Rice Bowl, Easy Pork Recipe, 滷肉飯 Recipe
Hello, fellow food lovers! Today, I’m excited to share how to easily and deliciously make ‘Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯)’, often called Taiwan’s comfort food. Lu Rou Fan is a rice bowl topped with pork belly slow-cooked in a savory soy sauce-based broth. ‘Lu (滷)’ refers to the braising technique, ‘Rou (肉)’ means meat, and ‘Fan (飯)’ is rice. The rich, savory-sweet sauce infused into tender pork, along with a perfectly boiled egg, makes this dish incredibly satisfying. If you’re a fan of Taiwanese cuisine or looking for a hearty pork rice bowl recipe, this is a must-try! Let’s get started on making this delightful Lu Rou Fan!
Main Ingredients- 4 servings of freshly cooked white rice
- 900g Pork belly or pork shoulder, cut into cubes
- 4-6 hard-boiled eggs (adjust to your preference)
- A little cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The foundation of a great Lu Rou Fan is freshly cooked, warm rice. Using white rice allows the flavors of the pork and sauce to shine. Rinse the rice 2-3 times gently. For the right water level in your rice cooker, fill with water until it reaches the back of your hand or up to the knuckle of your fist.
Step 2
Prepare the star of the dish: the pork. Cut about 900g of pork belly or shoulder into roughly 1.5cm thick cubes. Pork belly with a good balance of fat and meat will yield the most tender and flavorful results.
Step 3
Heat a wide pot or pan over medium-high heat and add a little cooking oil. Add the cubed pork and stir-fry until the surfaces are nicely browned. This step helps to render some fat and develop a savory aroma.
Step 4
Transfer the browned pork to a separate bowl for now. Leave the rendered pork fat and juices in the pot – they are packed with flavor!
Step 5
Finely chop one medium onion. Add the chopped onion to the same pot and sauté in the pork drippings over medium heat until softened and translucent. This brings out the natural sweetness of the onion. (If using fried shallots, you can skip this step and add them later with the other seasonings).
Step 6
Once the onions are softened, add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar to the pot. Stir over medium heat until the sugar melts and begins to caramelize slightly, taking care not to burn it. Caramelizing the sugar adds a deep color and rich flavor characteristic of Lu Rou Fan.
Step 7
Pour in 120ml of soy sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the reserved pork back into the pot. Now, stir in 4 tablespoons of mirin, 2-3 tablespoons of five-spice powder for that signature aroma, and 1-2 tablespoons of white pepper. If you’re using fried shallots, add them now as well.
Step 8
Add enough water to almost cover the pork. Peel your hard-boiled eggs and place them into the pot to simmer along with the pork. The eggs will absorb the delicious sauce, making them incredibly flavorful.
Step 9
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for at least 40 minutes, or until the pork is very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The goal is for the pork to become melt-in-your-mouth soft and the sauce to thicken and deepen in flavor.
Step 10
After 40 minutes, assemble your bowls. Fill each bowl with a generous serving of warm rice. Spoon the tender braised pork and a hard-boiled egg on top. Don’t forget to ladle plenty of that luscious sauce over everything!
Step 11
And there you have it! Your homemade Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯) is ready to be enjoyed. Savor every delicious bite!
