Hong Shao Rou (Shanghai Red-Braised Pork Belly)

Name: Hong Shao Rou (Shanghai Red-Braised Pork Belly)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 800 g skin-on pork belly, cut into 3 cm cubes; 3 tbsp rock sugar; 1 tbsp neutral oil; 6 coins ginger, sliced; 4 scallions, cut into 5 cm batons; 2 pods star anise; 1 small cinnamon stick; 2 dried bay leaves; 120 ml Shaoxing wine; 2 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 500 ml hot water; to taste salt

The defining Shanghainese braise — cubes of pork belly caramelized in rock sugar, then simmered slow in dark soy, Shaoxing wine, and aromatics until the fat turns translucent and the sauce reduces to a mahogany glaze.

dairy-free
nut-free
egg-free
high-protein
contains-meat

Ingredients

skin-on pork belly, cut into 3 cm cubes800 g
rock sugar3 tbsp
neutral oil1 tbsp
ginger, sliced6 coins
scallions, cut into 5 cm batons4
star anise2 pods
cinnamon stick1 small
dried bay leaves2
Shaoxing wine120 ml
light soy sauce2 tbsp
dark soy sauce1 tbsp
hot water500 ml
saltto taste

Steps

Blanch the pork belly.
Blanch the pork belly in cold water brought to a boil for 3 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
Make caramel with rock sugar.
Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-low, add rock sugar, and stir until it melts into an amber caramel.
Coat pork in caramel.
Add the pork and toss to coat each cube in the caramel until burnished on all sides.
Add aromatics and stir.
Add ginger, scallions, star anise, cinnamon, and bay; stir until fragrant.
Add Shaoxing wine and liquids.
Pour in Shaoxing wine and let it bubble for 30 seconds, then add both soy sauces and the hot water — liquid should just cover the pork.
Simmer covered on low flame.
Cover and simmer on the lowest flame for 70 minutes, turning the pieces every 20 minutes.
Reduce sauce to lacquer.
Uncover, raise heat to medium, and reduce the sauce until it coats the pork in a glossy lacquer.

Nutrition

Nutrition, per serving. 410 calories. Protein 18.5 grams, 17 percent. Carbs 9 grams, 8 percent. Fat 35 grams, 74 percent. Fiber 0.8 grams, sugar 7 grams, saturated fat 12 grams, sodium 700 milligrams. Estimated from ingredients.