Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice
Lu Rou Fan
A beloved Taiwanese comfort food featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly served over fluffy white rice, often topped with a pickled radish and a soy-marinated egg.
๐ง Ingredients
- 600 g Pork belly(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 4 medium Shallots(thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Rock sugar
- 1/2 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 cups Water
- 1 tsp Five-spice powder
- 1/2 tsp White pepper
- 4 cups Cooked white rice(for serving)
- 4 optional Soy-marinated eggs(for serving)
- 1/4 cup Pickled radish(chopped, for serving)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
In a pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Remove shallots with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
๐ก Tip: Be careful not to burn the shallots. - 2
Add the minced garlic to the pot and sautรฉ for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 3
Add the cubed pork belly to the pot and sear on all sides until lightly browned.
- 4
Stir in the rock sugar and cook for 1-2 minutes until it begins to caramelize.
- 5
Pour in the soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Add the water, five-spice powder, and white pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the pork is very tender.
๐ก Tip: The longer it simmers, the more tender the pork will become. - 7
Once the pork is tender, remove the lid and increase the heat slightly to reduce the sauce to a thicker consistency, about 15-20 minutes.
- 8
Serve the braised pork and its sauce generously over hot white rice. Garnish with crispy shallots, pickled radish, and a soy-marinated egg if desired.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โUsing pork belly with a good ratio of fat to meat is key for tenderness and flavor.
- โRock sugar provides a deeper, more complex sweetness than granulated sugar.
- โThe soy-marinated egg (ๆปท่ - lu dan) is a classic accompaniment and can be made by boiling eggs and then simmering them in the braising liquid for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add dried shiitake mushrooms to the braising liquid for an extra layer of umami.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili flakes to the braising liquid.
- Some recipes include a small piece of dried tangerine peel for added aroma.