The tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly paired with the rich, soy-based sauce creates a deeply flavorful dish. Adding a perfectly soft-boiled egg to the top enhances the texture and richness, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.
The beauty of this dish lies not only in its delicious flavor but also in its simplicity. The one-pot method allows the pork to cook slowly, absorbing all the savory goodness of the sauce, while the egg provides a creamy contrast to the savory depth of the braised pork. It’s perfect for a comforting dinner or a special weekend meal.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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500g pork belly, cut into 2-inch pieces
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2 eggs
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
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1 tablespoon rice wine
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1 tablespoon oyster sauce
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1 tablespoon sugar
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2 cups water
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 slices ginger
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2-3 stalks green onions, chopped
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Directions:
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In a pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger slices, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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Add the pork belly pieces to the pot, browning them on all sides for about 5 minutes.
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Pour in the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice wine, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir to combine and coat the pork evenly.
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Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the pork belly becomes tender.
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While the pork is cooking, boil the eggs in another pot of water for 6-7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs. Once done, peel the eggs.
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If you’d like a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and stir it into the sauce to thicken it.
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Serve the pork belly and sauce in a bowl with a soft-boiled egg on top. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 55 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 2 servings
The Appeal of Pork Belly
Pork belly has long been a favorite cut of meat in various cuisines due to its combination of tender meat and flavorful fat. The fat in pork belly renders during the cooking process, infusing the meat with rich flavors. In dishes like soy-braised pork belly, the fat melts into the sauce, thickening it and contributing to its silky texture. This cut of meat is also incredibly forgiving when it comes to cooking methods. It can be braised, roasted, or grilled, with each method unlocking a different dimension of flavor.
The combination of pork belly’s fatty richness and the deeply savory soy-based braising liquid creates a perfect balance of flavors, making it irresistible. The fatty layers melt in your mouth, while the braised sauce soaks into the meat, creating a bold flavor profile that leaves a lasting impression.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Busy Nights
The beauty of soy-braised pork belly with egg lies not only in its taste but also in its simplicity. Despite the complexity of flavors, this dish is easy to prepare and requires minimal active time. With a few basic ingredients and one pot, you can create a meal that will impress your family or guests. The slow braising process allows the pork belly to cook slowly, absorbing all the flavors from the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, making it a fantastic dish for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends.
Using one pot to cook this dish means there’s less cleanup, and the flavors all meld together beautifully in the same vessel. This convenience makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking for an easy, no-fuss meal that delivers maximum flavor.
The Role of Soy Sauce in the Dish
Soy sauce is an essential ingredient in many Asian recipes, and for good reason. It brings an unmatched depth of flavor to dishes, offering a balance of saltiness, sweetness, and umami. In soy-braised pork belly with egg, soy sauce forms the base of the braising liquid, combining with other ingredients like dark soy sauce, rice wine, and oyster sauce to create a rich and complex sauce. The saltiness of the soy sauce helps to season the pork belly, while the sugar and other sauces balance the flavors, creating a smooth and flavorful braise.
Dark soy sauce, in particular, contributes to the dish’s deeper color and more intense flavor, adding a slight sweetness that perfectly complements the savory pork. The braising liquid, thickened slightly by the pork belly’s natural fats, coats the meat, making every bite indulgently delicious.
The Importance of Soft-Boiled Eggs
A soft-boiled egg is the perfect finishing touch for this dish. The creamy yolk adds richness, which balances the soy-braised pork belly’s savory depth. As you slice the egg open, the golden yolk oozes out, mingling with the flavorful sauce and creating an even more luxurious texture. Soft-boiled eggs are a common accompaniment to many Asian dishes, as their silky texture enhances the overall eating experience.
The egg also serves as a source of protein and a beautiful contrast to the meaty, tender pork belly. Its simplicity is the perfect complement to the richness of the braised pork, and it elevates the dish, making it more satisfying and complete. Whether you’re eating this dish on its own or with rice, the egg brings an added layer of texture and flavor that’s hard to beat.
Pairing Suggestions
While this dish is already rich and flavorful on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. For a traditional Asian meal, serve the soy-braised pork belly with steamed jasmine rice or white rice, which soaks up the savory sauce. You can also add sautéed or steamed vegetables, such as bok choy, spinach, or green beans, for a touch of freshness to balance the richness of the pork.
For a slightly lighter meal, you might consider serving it with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette or some pickled vegetables to provide a tangy contrast to the pork belly’s deep flavor.
How to Make Soy Braised Pork Belly with Egg Your Own
While this recipe follows a traditional method, there’s plenty of room for customization based on your preferences or available ingredients. You can experiment with different seasonings and sauces to adjust the flavor profile. If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding a few slices of fresh chili or a tablespoon of chili paste to the braising liquid for some heat.
You can also swap out the pork belly for other cuts of meat if you prefer, though the texture and flavor will differ slightly. Some people use pork shoulder or pork ribs as an alternative, but these cuts may not be as tender as pork belly. If you want to make the dish a little lighter, you can trim some of the fat from the pork belly before braising.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can try substituting the pork belly with mushrooms or tofu. While these substitutions won’t replicate the richness of pork belly, they can still soak up the braising liquid and provide a satisfying dish. To make the dish even more plant-based, you can swap the egg for a tofu scramble or omit it entirely.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
To ensure your soy-braised pork belly with egg turns out perfectly, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, be sure to cook the pork belly slowly to allow it to become tender and soak up all the flavors of the sauce. This dish is about low and slow cooking, which makes the pork belly juicy and soft.
Second, the soft-boiled egg should be cooked to perfection. Aim for about 6 to 7 minutes of boiling time for a soft but set egg. If you prefer a firmer yolk, cook the egg for a couple of extra minutes.
Finally, if the sauce needs to be thickened, you can create a simple cornstarch slurry to add at the end of the cooking process. This will give the sauce a glossy, rich texture that clings to the pork and adds a luxurious finish.
Conclusion
Soy braised pork belly with egg is the epitome of comfort food, combining rich, tender pork belly with a savory, flavorful sauce and topped off with a perfectly soft-boiled egg. Its depth of flavor and satisfying texture make it a meal that’s sure to please anyone, whether you’re cooking for your family or serving guests at a dinner party. With minimal effort and just a few key ingredients, you can create a dish that feels indulgent and special. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful meals that leave you craving more.
This dish offers endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to tweak the flavors to suit your taste. So, why not try making this classic soy-braised pork belly with egg at home? It’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.