Easy Homemade Dongpo Pork
Dongpo Pork Made Easy: A Surprisingly Simple Recipe!
I’ve always wanted to make Dongpo Pork but it seemed so intimidating. To my surprise, it’s incredibly easy! I highly recommend trying this at home. I’ll guide you through the process step-by-step with simple instructions!
Main Ingredients- 600g Pork Belly (whole piece)
- 1 Onion (cut in half)
- 1 Leek (cut into large chunks)
- A pinch of whole peppercorns
- 2-3 Bay leaves (optional)
- Shredded leek for garnish
- Sesame oil for garnish
- Salt for garnish
Braising Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the whole pork belly. Along with the pork, add the halved onion and the large chunks of leek. For extra aroma and to remove any gamey smell, toss in whole peppercorns and bay leaves (you can skip the bay leaves if you don’t have them). Boil for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and tender.
Step 2
While the pork is boiling, prepare the garnish. Traditionally, Dongpo Pork is served with bok choy, but I’m using thinly sliced leeks from my kitchen for a simple alternative. Toss the shredded leeks with a little sesame oil and salt to lightly season them. This will provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich pork.
Step 3
Once the pork is boiled and slightly cooled, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Thicker cuts look more appealing. Heat a pan with a little oil, and sear the pork pieces on all sides until golden brown. Searing the exterior helps to lock in the juices, keeping the pork tender and moist.
Step 4
Now for the braising! Add the seared pork pieces back into the pan. Pour in 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Let it simmer over medium-low heat, allowing the sauce to penetrate the pork. Once the sauce has reduced slightly, stir in 2 tablespoons of honey and 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the pork beautifully. This creates the signature glaze.
Step 5
Finally, plate the succulent Dongpo Pork and serve it with the prepared shredded leeks on the side. The melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of the pork combined with the crispness of the leeks is absolutely delightful! This dish is perfect for a satisfying meal or a special occasion. Enjoy your incredibly easy and delicious homemade Dongpo Pork!
