Braised Pork with Scallions
The ‘Rice Thief’ Pork and Scallion Braise That Becomes Addictively Delicious After Just One Bite!
Once you taste this braised pork with scallions, you’ll find it irresistibly addictive – our household’s ultimate ‘rice thief’! This dish features the perfect harmony of fragrant scallions and tender pork.
Main Ingredients
- Pork Belly or Pork Shoulder 300g
- Scallions 2 stalks
- Onion 1/2
- Green Chili Pepper 1
- Red Chili Pepper 1/2
Pork Marination
- Salt 1/2 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 1/2 tsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin or Sake) 1 Tbsp
Sauce
- Soy Sauce 2.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Powder) 2.5 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Broth (or Rice Water) 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 1/2 Tbsp
- Soju (or Rice Wine) 1 shot (approx. 50ml)
- Black Pepper to taste
- Salt 1/2 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 1/2 tsp
- Cooking Wine (Mirin or Sake) 1 Tbsp
Sauce
- Soy Sauce 2.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Powder) 2.5 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 1/2 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Broth (or Rice Water) 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds 1/2 Tbsp
- Soju (or Rice Wine) 1 shot (approx. 50ml)
- Black Pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the main ingredient: the pork. While I’m using pork belly here, which is common at home, you can also use pork shoulder for a leaner taste, or even pork leg – they all turn out delicious! This 300g portion is perfect for 2-3 people and makes for a generous serving.
Step 2
If you’re using a large chunk of fresh pork, it’s much easier to slice neatly if you freeze it for about 30 minutes beforehand until it’s slightly firm. You can also use pre-sliced pork from the butcher, but I find fresh, just-sliced pork tastes best!
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables that will add wonderful flavor to our dish along with the pork. For 300g of pork, we’ll need 2 stalks of scallions, half an onion, 1 green chili pepper for a bit of heat, and half a red chili pepper for color. Don’t skimp on the scallions; using plenty makes the dish even more flavorful! Wash and prepare all your vegetables.
Step 4
It’s time to marinate the 300g of pork. Place the pork in a bowl and gently mix it with 1/2 Tbsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of minced ginger, and 1 Tbsp of cooking wine. This step helps remove any gamey smell and adds a deeper flavor to the pork.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the sauce, which is key to this dish’s deliciousness! For a rich and complex flavor, combine 2.5 Tbsp of soy sauce, 2.5 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili powder), 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for its wonderful aroma, and 1 Tbsp of fish sauce for added umami. Pour in 1.5 cups of broth (or rice water for a similar effect), 1/2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness, 1 shot of soju (or rice wine) to further tenderize and de-odorize the pork, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything well.
Step 6
Ready to start stir-frying? Heat a pan over medium heat, add a little olive oil, and sauté the sliced onion until fragrant. Sautéing the onions well will bring out their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 7
Once the onions start to turn translucent, add the marinated pork to the pan. Stir-fry until it begins to sizzle and brown. When the pork is partially cooked, add all the prepared sauce and stir-fry to coat the meat evenly.
Step 8
Now, let’s get it braising! Pour 2 cups of broth (or rice water/plain water if you don’t have broth) over the pork and sauce mixture. Stir to combine the ingredients. Adding broth helps prevent burning and ensures the pork cooks tenderly.
Step 9
Cover the pan and let it simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. During this time, the pork will become incredibly tender, and the flavors from the sauce will deeply penetrate into every piece.
Step 10
After 15 minutes, remove the lid and continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your liking. Once the sauce starts to reduce, add the prepared scallions and chili peppers. Stir-fry briefly, just enough for the vegetables to wilt slightly without losing their crispness. It’s important to stop cooking while the vegetables are still vibrant and crunchy for the best texture. The delicious aroma filling your kitchen is already making me hungry!
Step 11
Only stir-fry the vegetables for a very short time. This preserves their fresh, crisp texture while allowing them to absorb the delicious pork sauce. Finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of black pepper to finish.
Step 12
Turn the heat up to high and give everything a quick toss for about 10 seconds to combine it all – and your amazing Braised Pork with Scallions is ready! Serve it over a bowl of hot rice for an absolutely delightful meal.
