Aromatic Perilla Pork Belly Skewers with Air Fryer
[Pork Belly Day Special] Easy Air Fryer Pork Belly and Perilla Skewers
Hello! This is Kimmi from Kimmi Food. Today, we’re celebrating Pork Belly Day with a super easy and delicious way to enjoy pork belly using your air fryer! Marinated in a fragrant perilla leaf soy sauce, these skewers are incredibly flavorful. Experience the delightful combination of spring’s perilla aroma and savory pork belly. Let’s get cooking!
Main Ingredients
- 300g Fresh Pork Belly (use thick cuts for a satisfying chew)
- 1 handful Fresh Perilla Leaves (choose fragrant spring perilla)
Perilla Soy Sauce Marinade
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 cup Water
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Perilla Leaves (for the marinade)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 cup Water
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (Corn Syrup)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Perilla Leaves (for the marinade)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the star of our dish: fresh pork belly. Using thick-cut pork belly will give you a more satisfying chew after cooking, making it even more delicious. Choose cuts with a good balance of fat and lean meat.
Step 2
Next, let’s clean the perilla leaves. The roots of perilla can hold a lot of soil, so wash them thoroughly under running water, paying special attention to the root area. Rinse them several times to ensure all dirt is removed.
Step 3
Now, cut the cleaned perilla leaves into bite-sized pieces. About a finger’s length is a good size. While cutting, check carefully for any foreign objects or damaged parts.
Step 4
Time to make the delicious perilla soy sauce marinade! In a moderately deep and wide bowl, pour 1 cup of water. Add 2 Tbsp of mirin, 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of oligodang, and 1 Tbsp of garlic powder. Stir in 2 Tbsp of the finely chopped perilla leaves (from the handful you prepared) and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything well.
Step 5
As you mix the marinade, you’ll notice the wonderfully fresh aroma of perilla, truly making you feel like spring has arrived. The unique pungent yet fragrant scent of fresh perilla is incredibly captivating.
Step 6
Submerge the prepared pork belly completely into the perilla soy sauce marinade. Gently massage the pork with your hands to ensure the marinade coats every piece evenly and penetrates deeply. Marinating the pork like this will make it more tender and flavorful.
Step 7
After letting the pork belly marinate in the perilla soy sauce for about 5 minutes, it’s time to air fry. Set your air fryer to the highest temperature (usually 180-200°C or 350-400°F) and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust the cooking time based on your specific air fryer model.
Step 8
When placing the pork belly into the air fryer basket, avoid overcrowding. Arrange the pieces so they are not touching each other, allowing air to circulate freely. This ensures the pork belly cooks evenly and gets crispy all over.
Step 9
Halfway through cooking, flip the pork belly pieces. Air fryers tend to cook more intensely from the top, so flipping them allows both sides to become golden brown and crispy, enhancing the overall texture and taste.
Step 10
Air frying pork belly is incredibly convenient as it eliminates the worry of grease and smell filling your kitchen. However, air-fried food can sometimes become tough if left too long, diminishing its appeal. By marinating it in this perilla soy sauce, the pork belly remains moist and fragrant even after some time, allowing you to enjoy it at its best until the very last bite. This is a special springtime dish you absolutely must try!
