Cola-Braised Pork Belly (Suyuk)
How to Make Delicious and Tender Pork Belly Suyuk Using Cola
This weekend, many people are busy making kimchi! Suyuk is an absolute must-have when you’re making kimchi! Wrapped with fresh kimchi, it’s truly delicious. This recipe makes a wonderfully tender and flavorful pork belly that’s perfect for any occasion.
Main Ingredients
- Whole Pork Belly 2 ‘geun’ (approx. 600g or 1.3 lbs)
- 1 Onion
- 2 Green Onions (Scallions)
- 20 cloves Garlic
Seasoning & Braising Liquid
- 500ml Cola
- 200ml Water
- 200ml Soju (or Mirin)
- 150ml Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or Honey)
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger + 1/2 Tbsp sugar)
- 500ml Cola
- 200ml Water
- 200ml Soju (or Mirin)
- 150ml Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or Honey)
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Syrup (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger + 1/2 Tbsp sugar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the aromatics to go into the pot with the pork belly. Peel and quarter the onion. Cut the green onions into large, 4-5 cm pieces. Prepare about 20 cloves of garlic. Adding plenty of vegetables like these not only removes any porky smell but also adds a deeper flavor to the braising liquid.
Step 2
Pat the whole pork belly dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and sear the surface of the pork belly until golden brown on all sides. Searing the exterior helps to lock in the juices, resulting in a more tender and moist suyuk. Place the seared pork belly into a pot. Arrange the prepared onion, green onions, and garlic on top of the pork.
Step 3
Now it’s time to add the seasoning and braising liquid ingredients for a flavorful suyuk. Add 200ml of water to the pot, followed by 200ml of soju (this helps remove odor and tenderizes the meat), 150ml of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon of fragrant ginger syrup. If you don’t have ginger syrup, you can use a mix of minced ginger and sugar.
Step 4
Finally, pour in 500ml of cola. The sugar in the cola acts as a secret ingredient to tenderize the meat and add a delicious depth of flavor! If the liquid doesn’t fully cover the meat, add a little more water. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 40 to 50 minutes. Flipping the pork belly halfway through cooking ensures even tenderness.
Step 5
Once the suyuk is perfectly cooked, let it cool slightly before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Serve the steaming hot suyuk with kimchi, pickled radish wraps, or fresh kimchi salad for a truly satisfying meal. Enjoy a wonderful dining experience with this foolproof cola-braised pork belly!
