Chinese Braised Pork Belly

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Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger to the pan, sautéing for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
3. Add the blanched pork belly to the pan, browning the meat on all sides for about 5 minutes.

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Step 3: Braise the Pork Belly

1. Once the pork is browned, pour in the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and oyster sauce. Stir to coat the pork and aromatics with the sauce.
2. Add the sugar, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the pot, stirring to combine.
3. Pour in the water or chicken broth, ensuring the liquid just covers the pork belly. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The pork should become incredibly tender and the sauce should reduce and thicken to a rich consistency.

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Step 4: Add Eggs (Optional)

1. About 30 minutes before the braising is done, add the hard-boiled eggs (if using) into the pot. Let them soak up the sauce and flavors for the remaining cooking time.
2. The eggs will absorb the delicious braising liquid, adding a beautiful richness to the dish.

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Step 5: Serve & Garnish

1. Once the pork belly is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove the pot from the heat.
2. Serve the braised pork belly over a bed of steamed rice and garnish with chopped scallions. The rich sauce pairs perfectly with the fluffy rice.

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Tips for the Best Chinese Braised Pork Belly

✅ Use skin-on pork belly – The fat from the skin adds to the flavor and gives the dish its signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
✅ Control the sweetness – Adjust the sugar to your liking. For a more savory version, reduce the sugar a bit.
✅ Low and slow – Braising the pork slowly ensures it becomes tender and absorbs all the delicious flavors.
✅ Customize the aromatics – Feel free to add dried chili peppers, cloves, or a bay leaf for additional depth of flavor.

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Why This Recipe is So Special

Chinese Braised Pork Belly is a comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a plate. The combination of rich pork belly, aromatic spices, and the balance of sweet and savory flavors makes this dish stand out as a true classic. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together and makes everyone around the table ask for seconds.

Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just a weeknight meal, this dish is sure to impress. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that actually gets better with time, so don’t hesitate to enjoy the leftovers the next day!

Give this Chinese Braised Pork Belly a try, and prepare to fall in love with this flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece. 🐖🍚