Chinese Red Braised Pork Belly, also known as Hong Shao Rou, is rich, glossy, deeply savory, and beautifully caramelized, with tender cubes of pork slowly braised in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, star anise, and a dark amber sugar glaze. It is one of Chinaβs most iconic comfort dishes, visually powerful, highly searchable, and perfect for a premium GrannyZen main dish. β¨
Hook β¨
Sticky soy glaze, melting pork belly, warm spices, and deep red-brown shine make this Chinese classic feel bold, luxurious, and unforgettable from the first bite. π₯’
Ingredients
Servings: 4
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Pork and aromatics π
π₯ 800 g pork belly, skin-on if possible, cut into 3 cm cubes (1.76 lb)
π« 25 g fresh ginger, sliced (2 tbsp / 0.9 oz)
π§ 40 g spring onion, cut into large pieces (Β½ cup / 1.4 oz)
π¬ 35 g rock sugar or brown sugar (3 tbsp / 1.2 oz)
π§ 500 ml hot water (2 cups / 17 fl oz)
Spices πΆοΈ
β 2 star anise
πΏ 1 small cinnamon stick
βͺ 4 g white peppercorns (1 tsp / 0.14 oz)
π 1 small strip dried orange peel, optional
πΆοΈ 1 dried red chili, optional
For finishing β¨
π§ 10 g spring onion, finely sliced (2 tbsp / 0.35 oz)
βͺ 5 g toasted sesame seeds (1 tsp / 0.18 oz)
π steamed jasmine rice, for serving
Preparation
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Total Time
β± Prep: 20 min
π₯ Cook/Bake: 105 min
π Rest: 0 min
β° Total: 125 min
Nutritional Value
π₯ Calories: ~520 kcal
πͺ Protein: ~24 g
π Carbohydrates: ~12 g
π§ Fat: ~42 g
πΎ Fiber: ~1 g
π₯ 520 kcalπͺ 24 g proteinπ 12 g carbsπ§ 42 g fatπΎ 1 g fiber
Macro Split (kcal)
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Macro grams
Advice
Use pork belly with clear layers of meat and fat, because the slow braise turns those layers soft, glossy, and tender instead of greasy or heavy. π
Why it works π‘
The caramel gives the pork its signature deep shine, while soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, and warm spices build the rich savory-sweet depth that makes Hong Shao Rou such a beloved Chinese main dish. β¨
Twist πΆοΈ
Add 6 peeled soft-boiled eggs during the final 20 min of braising for a classic family-style version where the eggs absorb the dark soy glaze and become rich, savory, and beautifully marbled. π₯
Status
Glossy, tender, aromatic, and deeply comforting, this Chinese Red Braised Pork Belly is the kind of main dish that turns a simple bowl of rice into a feast. π₯’
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