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This five spice pork belly bao combines classic Chinese flavors with pork belly to create a delicious treat. The succulent pork is braised to perfection, absorbing the deep and complex notes of our aromatics. Encased in a soft, fluffy bao bun, each bite offers a symphony of textures and tastes. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork harmonizing with the pillowy steamed bun. Often garnished with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, or a drizzle of hoisin sauce, this dish exemplifies the art of balancing sweetness, spiciness, and umami, making it a beloved and flavorful staple in Asian cuisine.
Five Spice Pork Belly Bao
This five spice pork belly bao recipe takes on traditional Chinese flavors that compliment sweet buns perfectly.
Ingredients
- 1 piece skin on pork belly
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp five spice powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 stalk scallions
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 star anise
- 2 cups water
- pickled carrots
- pickled jalapenos
- crispy garlic
- 1 package bao buns or soft bread rolls
Instructions
- Cut your slices of pork belly into ½ inch thickness and about 3 inches long.1 piece skin on pork belly
- Season sliced pork belly with salt, five spice powder, and garlic powder.1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp five spice powder, 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Sear them on a hot pan for 3 minutes each side.
- Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, crushed garlic, scallions, bay leaves, star anise, and water.1½ tbsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 cloves crushed garlic, 1 stalk scallions, 2 bay leaves, 1 star anise, 2 cups water
- Stir and bring it up to a boil, then turn the heat down to med-low, and cover with a lid for 40 minutes.
- Remove the lid and turn the heat up to high until the sauce in the pan get thick and glossy. (About another 10 minutes)
- Assemble by placing your pork belly into your buns, top with pickled carrots, jalapenos, and crispy garlic .pickled carrots, pickled jalapenos, crispy garlic, 1 package bao buns or soft bread rolls
