Spicy & Savory Fusion! Kimchi Pork Belly Pasta Recipe
A Special Homemade Meal: Kimchi Pork Belly Pasta
Whip up a delightful homemade fusion pasta using ingredients from your fridge! This dish harmoniously blends the comforting taste of Korean kimchi with the rich flavor of pork belly, all within the familiar embrace of Italian pasta. It’s a simple yet extraordinary recipe that’s sure to impress. Discover this unique culinary creation now!
Main Ingredients- Spaghetti noodles for 1 serving (approx. 80-100g)
- 1 slice Pork Belly (approx. 150g)
- A portion of well-fermented Kimchi (with some juice)
- 10 Perilla leaves (깻잎)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add about 1/2 Tbsp of salt. Cook the spaghetti noodles for about 1 minute less than the time indicated on the package (e.g., 6 minutes). This ensures the pasta retains a pleasant al dente texture when finished in the pan. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Step 2
Heat a frying pan over high heat and add a generous amount of avocado oil. Add the pork belly slice and sear it until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Getting a good sear is crucial for locking in flavor and preventing the meat from becoming soggy when cooked with the other ingredients.
Step 3
Once the pork belly is nicely seared, cut it into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Add the well-fermented kimchi (older kimchi works wonderfully for this dish!) and a little of its juice to the pan. Sauté together over medium heat until the kimchi is slightly softened and releases its delicious aroma.
Step 4
To the pan with the sautéed pork belly and kimchi, add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce for extra depth of flavor. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss in the perilla leaves, cut into bite-sized pieces. Stir everything together, allowing the starch from the pasta water to thicken the sauce and coat the noodles beautifully. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring the ingredients meld together. Avoid overcooking the perilla leaves to preserve their fresh, aromatic quality.
Step 5
Turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty finish. Give everything a final toss. Serve the spicy and savory Kimchi Pork Belly Pasta immediately on a plate. For an extra touch, you can garnish with grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds.
