Savory Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Rice Bowl: A Delicious One-Bowl Meal
Pork Belly Rice Bowl – Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Perfection
A simple yet deeply flavorful one-bowl meal featuring tender pork belly coated in a sweet and savory soy glaze. Perfect for a satisfying and impressive dish.
Main Ingredients- Pork belly, 5 strips (approx. 300-400g)
- Baby napa cabbage, 3 leaves
- Onion, 1/2 medium
Pork Belly Marinade- Herb-flavored salt, to taste
The Perfect Glaze- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp
- Sake (or cooking wine), 1/3 cup
- Mirin (or sweet cooking wine), 1/3 cup
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Ground ginger, 0.3 tsp (or a little fresh ginger juice)
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), 1 Tbsp
- Instant coffee granules, a pinch (for depth of flavor)
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Toasted sesame seeds, 0.5 Tbsp
- Herb-flavored salt, to taste
The Perfect Glaze- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp
- Sake (or cooking wine), 1/3 cup
- Mirin (or sweet cooking wine), 1/3 cup
- Minced garlic, 1 Tbsp
- Ground ginger, 0.3 tsp (or a little fresh ginger juice)
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup), 1 Tbsp
- Instant coffee granules, a pinch (for depth of flavor)
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Toasted sesame seeds, 0.5 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your vegetables. Roughly chop the 3 baby napa cabbage leaves and thinly slice the 1/2 onion into thick strips. Cutting them into larger pieces will enhance the texture of the dish.
Step 2
Next, let’s marinate the pork belly. Take your 5 strips of pork belly and season them generously on both sides with about 0.3 tsp of herb-flavored salt. If you don’t have herb-flavored salt, regular salt and pepper will work perfectly fine.
Step 3
Now, let’s cook the marinated pork belly to a beautiful golden brown. If using an air fryer, cook at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, heat a pan over medium heat and sear the pork belly on both sides until nicely browned and crispy. You can gently dab away excess rendered fat with a paper towel occasionally for a less greasy finish.
Step 4
Once the pork belly is cooked, let it cool slightly before cutting it into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm (1 inch) wide. This makes it easier to mix with the sauce later.
Step 5
It’s time to make the delicious soy glaze! Melt 1 Tbsp of unsalted butter in the same pan you used for the pork (or a clean one) over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and chopped cabbage, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the cabbage wilts slightly. Then, pour in all the glaze ingredients: 1/3 cup sake, 1/3 cup mirin, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.3 tsp ground ginger, and a pinch of coffee granules for extra depth. Stir and cook together, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
Step 6
Once the sauce has simmered and thickened slightly, add all the pre-cut pork belly pieces to the pan. Toss everything together gently to ensure the pork belly is evenly coated with the savory glaze.
Step 7
For the final touch, stir in 1 Tbsp of oligosaccharide for a nice sheen and touch of sweetness, 0.5 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for nutty aroma, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and cook for just another minute, or until the pork belly is glossy and moist. Be careful not to overcook at this stage, as it can make the pork belly tough.
Step 8
Serve a generous portion of warm rice in a bowl. Top it with the beautifully glazed pork belly. For an extra touch, you can garnish with shredded nori seaweed or chopped green onions. And there you have it – a wonderful Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Rice Bowl, ready to be enjoyed! Bon appétit.
