Two-Flavor Pork Belly Grill: Gochujang Garlic & Doenjang Garlic
Easy Oven-Baked Pork Belly: Sweet & Spicy Gochujang Garlic Pork Belly and Savory Doenjang Garlic Pork Belly, Perfectly Paired with a Side of Chive Salad!
Introducing a special grilled pork belly dish that allows you to enjoy two distinct and delicious flavors at once. We’ll show you how to easily and quickly prepare sweet and spicy Gochujang Garlic Pork Belly and deeply savory Doenjang Garlic Pork Belly using your oven. Adding a fragrant chive salad on the side will create a fantastic home party menu or a delightful meal for a special occasion. We’ll guide you with detailed tips so that even beginners can follow along with the simple cooking process.
Main Ingredients
- Pork belly with score marks, 300g (approx. 1/2 lb)
- Fresh chives, 1 bunch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the chive salad, which will be the perfect companion to our pork belly! Having all ingredients prepped beforehand makes cooking much smoother. This refreshing salad will cut through the richness and add a vibrant flavor.
Step 2
Our star today, the pork belly, was scored by the butcher. Scoring allows the marinade to penetrate deeper, making it much more flavorful and succulent when cooked. Cut the pork belly into manageable pieces (about 4-5cm or 1.5-2 inches) that will fit nicely on your oven pan. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). (Allow at least 20 minutes for preheating).
Step 3
Now, let’s make the two delicious marinades! First, the Gochujang Garlic Marinade. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of Gochujang and 1.5 Tbsp of minced garlic. Mix well. For a touch of sweetness, you can add a little sugar (about 0.5 Tbsp) if you like. (Optional)
Step 4
Next, we’ll prepare the savory Doenjang Garlic Marinade. In a separate bowl, mix 1 Tbsp of Doenjang with 1.5 Tbsp of minced garlic. For added depth of flavor and a lovely sheen, consider adding about 0.5 Tbsp of honey or corn syrup. (Optional)
Step 5
Divide the prepared pork belly into roughly 4 portions. We’ll apply the Gochujang Garlic marinade to half of the pieces and the Doenjang Garlic marinade to the other half. Spread the marinades evenly over the surface of the meat. Apply the marinade to one side first. This helps prevent the marinade from burning too quickly and allows for better flavor control.
Step 6
Pork belly tastes best when the excess fat has rendered out! Line your oven pan with parchment paper, and then place a wire rack on top. This setup allows the fat to drip away, keeping the pork belly crispy and the oven cleaner. Arrange the marinated pork belly pieces on the wire rack.
Step 7
When placing the pan in the oven, put the parchment-lined pan on the very bottom rack and the wire rack with the pork belly on the middle rack. Use only the top heating element (broil function if available) at 200°C (400°F) and bake for 20 minutes. This initial bake helps achieve a crispy exterior and a moist interior.
Step 8
While the pork belly is baking in the oven, let’s get started on the chive salad. Wash the chives thoroughly, shake off excess water, and cut them into manageable lengths of about 3-4 cm (about 1.5 inches). Cutting them too long can make them difficult to eat.
Step 9
Now, let’s make the chive salad dressing. In a large bowl, add the cut chives. Mix in 1 Tbsp of Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp of Korean soup soy sauce, 1/3 tsp of finely minced Saeu-jeot, and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. For extra nutty flavor, you can sprinkle a pinch of toasted sesame seeds on top. (Optional)
Step 10
If you prefer a bit more heat, you can add an extra 1/2 Tbsp of Gochugaru at this stage. This will further enhance the savory complexity of the chive salad.
Step 11
Adding about 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic will deepen the flavor profile of the chive salad. The mild pungency of the garlic will beautifully complement the freshness of the chives, elevating the overall taste.
Step 12
After adding all the dressing ingredients, gently toss the chives to combine everything. Be careful not to toss too vigorously, as this can bruise the chives. Gently mixing is key! And just like that, a simple yet incredibly delicious chive salad is ready!
Step 13
Wow! The pork belly looks wonderfully golden brown and appetizing from the oven. Some parts of the Gochujang Garlic pork belly are a bit charred, but that’s okay – it adds even more flavor! You can gently scrape off any overly burnt bits with a knife for a cleaner look.
Step 14
Now it’s time to marinate the other side of the pork belly! Flip the cooked pork belly pieces. Apply the remaining Gochujang Garlic and Doenjang Garlic marinades to the unseasoned sides, spreading them evenly. Return to the oven, using only the top heat at 200°C (400°F) for another 10 minutes. This final bake allows the marinades to caramelize and adhere beautifully to the meat.
Step 15
Our pork belly is perfectly cooked! Slice it into bite-sized pieces. Serve with a steaming bowl of rice and the freshly made chive salad for a beautifully presented and satisfying meal. Ta-da! It looks absolutely delicious and inviting!
Step 16
Let’s try the Gochujang Garlic Pork Belly with the chive salad first. I expected it to be salty because of the Gochujang, but surprisingly, it’s not salty at all! It’s truly delicious. The chive salad itself has a slight seasoning, so when eaten together with the Gochujang Garlic pork belly, the overall seasoning is perfectly balanced. Plus, the exterior of the pork belly is wonderfully crispy, offering a fantastic texture.
Step 17
Now, let’s savor the Doenjang Garlic Pork Belly with rice and chive salad! Wow… this is absolutely amazing. The signature savory flavor of Doenjang fills your mouth without being salty, and the aroma of garlic is wonderfully present. The rich flavor combined with the tender texture makes it a perfect rice companion. I highly, highly recommend this flavor! ★
Step 18
Enjoying two distinct pork belly flavors – Gochujang Garlic and Doenjang Garlic – in one cooking session! The preparation takes less than an hour, and the ingredients are simple, making it easy for anyone to make. This dish is perfect for home parties with loved ones or as a special meal. Everyone, don’t forget to add garlic to your pork belly marinade! While the sweet and spicy Gochujang Garlic pork belly is great, the deeply savory and rich Doenjang Garlic pork belly is especially recommended. ☆★
