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Braised Pork Belly

Recipe by mummykitchens on TikTokAdded 8 June 2025.

30 minutes to prep, 3 hours 30 minutes to cook. A simple recipe for braised pork belly that yields a delicious and tender dish.

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Method

  1. Heat oil in a large wok or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the pork belly and sear until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The exterior is browned all around. Turn the piece to brown each side evenly.

  3. Remove the pork from the wok and set aside.

  4. Add more oil to the wok if necessary, then add the ginger, garlic, and scallions.

  5. Cook until the aromatics are fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The aromatics smell fragrant.

  6. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, five-spice powder, star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.

  7. Return the pork belly to the wok and add the water.

  8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the wok and transfer it to the oven.

  9. Braise the pork for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until it is tender and easily shreds with a fork.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The meat yields easily to a fork. Keep the pot covered while it braises.

  10. Remove the pork from the wok and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it thinly.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The meat has rested before slicing. Slice across the grain for tender pieces.

  11. Strain the braising liquid and discard the solids.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The liquid is free of the solids.

  12. Skim off any excess fat that rises to the surface.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The surface fat has been removed. Skim gently to leave the braising liquid underneath.

  13. Return the pork to the wok and add the dark soy sauce and cornstarch mixture.

  14. Simmer the sauce until it thickens, about 5 minutes.

    Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce coats the spoon more thickly.

  15. Serve the braised pork belly with the sauce spooned over the top.

Tips while you cook

Sear before braising
Brown the pork belly on all sides in the wok before adding the braising liquid.
Rest after braising
Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Skim excess fat
After straining the braising liquid, skim any fat that rises to the surface before thickening the sauce.
Combine dark soy and cornstarch before simmering
Mix dark soy sauce with cornstarch, then add to the pork and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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The recipe comes from mummykitchens’s TikTok video. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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Pork belly, 7 ways

Six creators posted their own. Most use soy sauce and ginger.

  1. mummykitchens4 hr14 ingr.Only this one uses oyster sauce, brown sugar and cinnamon stick
  2. hello_bipod1 hr 15 min10 ingr.Only this one uses gochujang, sesame oil and gochugaru
  3. An Son2 hr 20 min7 ingr.Oven
  4. Daniel Meng1 hr8 ingr.Only this one uses hoisin sauce
  5. get crafty1 hr 40 min16 ingr.Only this one uses hot oil, cinnamon and chili
  6. get crafty45 min8 ingr.Only this one uses cooking wine, white vinegar and lettuce
Compare all 7 side by side

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