Crispy Bean Sprouts and Flavorful Pork Belly Stir-Fry
Easy Pork Belly Recipe, Stir-Fried Pork with Bean Sprouts, Home-style Side Dish
Thinly sliced pork belly is stir-fried with fresh, crisp bean sprouts for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and delightful texture. This super simple recipe is perfect as a side dish for any meal or as a satisfying snack with drinks.
Main Ingredients- 300g thinly sliced pork belly (cut into bite-sized pieces with scissors if desired)
- 300g fresh bean sprouts (rinsed and drained thoroughly)
- 70g baby bok choy (separate larger leaves by cutting in half, leave smaller leaves whole)
- 50g garlic chives (cut into 4-5cm lengths)
- 1/2 large leek or scallion (sliced diagonally)
- 5 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1/2 Tbsp ginger syrup or minced ginger
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1/2 Tbsp ginger syrup or minced ginger
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing 300g of thinly sliced pork belly. If the slices are particularly large, use kitchen scissors to cut them into more manageable, bite-sized pieces. This will help ensure even cooking and better sauce distribution.
Step 2
Rinse the 300g of bean sprouts thoroughly under running water. Afterwards, drain them well in a colander. Excess water can make the stir-fry soggy, so ensuring they are well-drained is key.
Step 3
Prepare the baby bok choy. For larger leaves, separate them and cut them in half. Smaller leaves can be left whole. This adds a wonderful crisp texture and vibrant green color to the dish.
Step 4
Cut the 50g of garlic chives into segments about 4-5cm long. These chives will add a delightful aromatic touch towards the end of cooking.
Step 5
Slice the 1/2 leek or scallion diagonally. The subtle sweetness and aroma from the leek will enhance the overall flavor profile of the stir-fry.
Step 6
Thinly slice the 5 cloves of garlic. Sautéing the garlic in oil will release its fragrant essence, significantly boosting the dish’s aroma and taste.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the savory seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1/2 Tbsp ginger syrup, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined. Having the sauce ready beforehand makes the stir-frying process much smoother.
Step 8
Heat a pan over medium heat and add the prepared pork belly. Stir-fry until it’s evenly cooked and lightly golden brown, rendering some of its fat. Once the pork belly is almost done, add the sliced garlic and continue to stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
Step 9
When the pork belly is nicely browned, add the drained bean sprouts, prepared baby bok choy, and sliced leek to the pan. You want to stir-fry these quickly to keep the vegetables crisp.
Step 10
Pour the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the ingredients in the pan. Make sure to distribute it well.
Step 11
Using a spatula or chopsticks, quickly toss and stir everything together to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. It’s important not to overcook the vegetables at this stage; they should retain a pleasant crispness.
Step 12
Finally, add the cut garlic chives and immediately turn off the heat. The residual heat from the pan is enough to wilt the chives slightly while preserving their fresh flavor and vibrant color. Gently toss the chives with the other ingredients.
Step 13
As a finishing touch, drizzle 1 Tbsp of sesame oil over the stir-fry. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and final layer of flavor.
Step 14
Gently toss everything together one last time to coat the ingredients with the sesame oil. This step ensures a beautiful sheen and harmonizes all the flavors.
Step 15
And there you have it! A delicious stir-fry featuring the delightful crunch of bean sprouts and the rich flavor of pork belly. Enjoy this quick and satisfying dish served over hot rice or with your favorite beverage!
