
Caramelized pork belly in soy-sugar glaze
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
1 hr 30 min
Total Time
1 hr 40 min
Servings
6
6 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Caramelized pork belly in soy-sugar glaze
Melt-in-your-mouth pork belly pieces lacquered in a glossy mahogany sauce of soy, rock sugar, and warm spices. Hong shao rou is the ultimate Chinese comfort dish that epitomizes the red-braising technique.
10m
Prep Time
90m
Cook Time
100m
Total Time
6
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
Hong shao rou was reportedly Chairman Mao favorite dish, and one taste explains why. The pork belly becomes impossibly tender while the sauce reduces to a rich, sticky glaze.
Blanch pork belly cubes in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse off impurities.
Melt rock sugar in a dry wok over medium heat until it forms a golden caramel.
Add pork belly pieces and toss to coat in the caramel. Stir-fry until browned on all sides.
Add soy sauces, star anise, cinnamon, ginger slices, and enough hot water to just cover the pork. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 75 minutes. Uncover and reduce sauce until glossy and thick. Serve over rice.
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Beefier flavor with similar melt-in-your-mouth fat marbling
Dissolves faster; use slightly less as it is sweeter
Test Kitchen Pick
Soy Sauce
Helpful Pantry Staple
This is doing more than adding salt. The right soy sauce gives the recipe a rounder, more savory base than a thin generic bottle.
This pantry choice affects depth more than most seasonings here.
A better soy sauce is one of the easiest pantry upgrades for Asian cooking.
Shop soy sauce for this recipeUse rock sugar for the most authentic flavor; it creates a cleaner, less cloying sweetness than white sugar.
Do not rush the braising; low and slow is essential for melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight.
Warm gently in a covered pan over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
Per serving (80mg) · 6 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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