Myanmar Pork and Bamboo Shoot Stew
A hearty and savory stew featuring tender pork and crunchy bamboo shoots, simmered in a rich, aromatic broth infused with ginger, garlic, and star anise.
🧂 Ingredients
- 750 g Pork shoulder or belly(cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(sliced)
- 8 cloves Garlic(thinly sliced)
- 2 inch piece Ginger(julienned)
- 2 pods Star anise
- 1 inch piece Cinnamon stick
- 4 large Dried shiitake mushrooms(soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, then sliced (reserve soaking liquid))
- 400 g Bamboo shoots(sliced or julienned, fresh or canned (rinsed if canned))
- 4 cups Chicken or pork broth
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
- Salt(to taste)
- Green onions(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork cubes dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork cubes in batches until golden brown on all sides. Remove pork and set aside.
- 3
Add sliced onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add sliced garlic and julienned ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Add star anise and cinnamon stick, stirring for 30 seconds.
- 5
Return the browned pork to the pot. Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid (strained to remove any grit).
- 6
Pour in the chicken or pork broth, soy sauce, and sugar. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the pork is very tender.
- 7
Remove the star anise and cinnamon stick before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- 8
Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions. This stew is excellent with steamed rice or noodles.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use pork belly.
- ✓If using canned bamboo shoots, ensure they are well-rinsed to remove any briny taste.
- ✓The longer the stew simmers, the more tender the pork will become.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of dried red chilies for a spicy kick.
- A tablespoon of dark soy sauce can be added for a deeper color and richer flavor.