20 Braised Pork Belly Recipe Japanese For Ramen Experience Flavor Like Never Before!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
If you're a fan of ramen, then you know that the key to a perfect bowl of this Japanese noodle soup is the broth. One of the most popular and delicious broths is made with braised pork belly, also known as chashu. This melt-in-your-mouth, fatty cut of pork adds a rich and savory flavor to the broth, making it the highlight of any ramen dish. In this article, we'll be sharing a Japanese braised pork belly recipe that will elevate your ramen game and impress your taste buds.
If you're a fan of succulent and flavorful pork belly, then you need to try this Japanese braised pork belly recipe. The dish, also known as Kakuni, is a popular comfort food in Japan and is often served as a side dish or topping for ramen. The tender and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly is cooked in a savory and slightly sweet broth, making it the perfect addition to any meal.
Kakuni is a classic Japanese dish that is loved by locals and visitors alike. It's made by slowly braising pork belly in a flavorful broth until it becomes tender and almost falls apart. The dish is typically served with a side of rice and some steamed vegetables, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Braised Pork Belly (Buta no Kakuni)
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Pork Belly, Leeks, Fresh Ginger, Dashi
Buta no Kakuni is the Japanese name for this delicious braised pork belly dish. The pork belly is first seared and then simmered in a soy-based broth with ingredients like ginger, garlic, and sake, giving it a rich and complex flavor. The dish is then finished off with a sprinkling of green onions and a drizzle of karashi mustard for a little kick.
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Instant Pot Japanese Braised Pork Belly (Kakuni)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Green Onions, Fresh Ginger, Onion
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy this mouth-watering dish, try making it in your Instant Pot. The pressure cooker helps to speed up the cooking process without sacrificing any of the flavor. In just a fraction of the time, you can have tender and flavorful pork belly ready to be devoured.
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Instant Pot Chashu for Ramen (Japanese Braised Pork...
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Green Onions, Fresh Ginger, Sake, Japanese
If you're a ramen lover, then you'll definitely want to try making this Instant Pot Chashu for your next bowl of noodles. Chashu is a type of pork belly that is typically served as a topping for ramen. It's made by slowly braising the pork belly in a flavorful broth until it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender. The Instant Pot makes this dish even easier to make and ensures that the pork is perfectly cooked every time.
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Pork Wonton Soup Meets Japanese Braised Pork Belly and...
Main Ingredients: Ground Pork, Green Onion, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil
For a unique twist on traditional wonton soup, try adding some Japanese braised pork belly to the mix. The tender and flavorful pork pairs perfectly with the delicate wontons and savory broth. Add some bok choy or other vegetables for a well-balanced and satisfying meal.
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Chinese Style Beer Braised Pork Belly
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Dark Beer, Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce
Beer and pork belly may seem like an unlikely pairing, but trust us, it works. This Chinese-style beer braised pork belly recipe combines the rich flavor of pork belly with the malty and slightly bitter flavor of beer. The result is a tender and succulent dish that will have you going back for seconds.
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Braised Pork Belly
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Chinese Rice Wine, Soy Sauce, Dark Soy
Sometimes, simple is best. This basic braised pork belly recipe is a great starting point for anyone looking to try this dish. It uses just a few ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, and star anise to create a flavorful and tender pork belly that is perfect for any occasion.
This recipe for Kakuni is a traditional and authentic version of the dish. It uses classic ingredients like mirin, bonito flake, and konbu to create a rich and flavorful broth. The pork belly is slowly braised until it becomes tender and infused with the delicious flavors of the broth.
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Assam Braised Pork Belly
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Assam, Rock Sugar, Dark Soy Sauce, Sugar
Assam braised pork belly is a fusion dish that combines Japanese and Chinese flavors. The pork is braised in a tangy and spicy Assam sauce, giving it a unique and delicious flavor. Serve it over rice and top it with some pickled mustard greens for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Braised Pork Belly over Rice
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Shanghai Bok Choy, Boiled Eggs, Brown Rice
This dish is simple yet satisfying. Tender and flavorful pork belly is served over a bed of steamed rice, making it the perfect comfort food. Top it off with some chili oil or crispy garlic for some extra flavor and texture.
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Instant Pot Braised Pork Belly
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Dark Soy Sauce, Ginger, Garlic, Spring
If you're a fan of the convenience and speed of the Instant Pot, then you'll love this recipe for Instant Pot braised pork belly. The pressure cooker helps to infuse the pork with flavor while also cutting down on the cooking time. Serve it with some steamed buns or on top of ramen for a delicious meal.
This recipe combines tender and flavorful pork belly with hearty and healthy cabbage. The pork is simmered in a savory broth until it becomes fall-apart tender, while the cabbage adds some extra texture and nutrition. Serve it over rice or enjoy it on its own for a satisfying and delicious meal.
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Braised Pork Belly or Filipino Humba
Main Ingredients: Water, Pork Belly, Garlic, White Vinegar, Soy Sauce
Humba is a popular Filipino dish that is similar to Japanese braised pork belly. It's made by simmering pork belly in a tangy and slightly sweet sauce until it becomes tender and flavorful. The result is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion.
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Beer Braised Pork Belly (Chinese Style)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Beer, Beef Broth
This Chinese-style beer braised pork belly recipe is a must-try for any pork belly lover. The pork is braised in a flavorful broth made with soy sauce, five-spice powder, and, of course, beer. The result is a tender and succulent pork belly with a rich and complex flavor.
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Braised Pork Belly (Buta no Kakuni)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Ginger, Scallions, Carrot, Daikon Radish
This recipe for braised pork belly is a classic and authentic version of the Japanese dish. The pork is slowly simmered in a savory broth until it becomes tender and infused with the flavors of the broth. Serve it with some pickled ginger and shichimi togarashi for a little extra kick.
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Braised Pork Belly & Rice - Incredible Meal!
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Bok Choy, Eggs, Garlic, Black Pepper, Bay
For a satisfying and delicious meal, look no further than this recipe for braised pork belly and rice. The pork is braised in a flavorful broth and served over a bed of steamed rice, making it the ultimate comfort food. Top it off with some sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds for some added flavor and texture.
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Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly with Eggs (Thit Kho)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Eggs, Shallot, Garlic, Brown Sugar, Fish
This Vietnamese dish combines tender and flavorful pork belly with hard-boiled eggs for a unique and delicious meal. The pork is braised in a savory and slightly sweet sauce, giving it a rich and complex flavor. Serve it over rice and top it with some cilantro and scallions for a burst of freshness.
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Kakuni (Japanese Simmered Pork Belly)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Shallot, Ginger, Sake, Water, Soy Sauce
This recipe for Kakuni is a slightly different take on the traditional dish. It uses a combination of soy sauce and honey in the braising liquid, giving the pork a slightly sweeter and more caramelized flavor. Serve it with some steamed vegetables for a well-rounded and delicious meal.
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Braised Pork Belly and Eggs in Soya Sauce
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Ginger, Light Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Pork
This Chinese-inspired dish combines tender and flavorful pork belly with hard-boiled eggs in a savory and slightly sweet soy sauce. The pork is slowly braised until it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the eggs absorb all of the delicious flavors. Serve it over rice for a satisfying and delicious meal.
The Key Ingredient: Pork Belly
The Cut and Preparation
Before we dive into the recipe, it's important to understand the main ingredient - pork belly. This is a fatty, boneless cut of meat that comes from the belly of a pig. It's commonly used in Asian cuisines, especially in Japanese dishes like ramen. To prepare the pork belly for braising, it's important to first remove the skin and excess fat. Then, cut the meat into thick slices, about 1 inch in thickness, for optimal flavor and tenderness.
The Braising Process
Now that the pork belly is ready, it's time to start the braising process. This involves cooking the meat over low heat for an extended period of time in a flavorful liquid. For our Japanese-style braised pork belly, we'll be using a combination of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and brown sugar to create a sweet and savory broth that will infuse into the meat. The pork belly should be fully submerged in the liquid and cooked for about 2-3 hours, or until it becomes tender and easily falls apart.
Adding Flavor to the Broth
The Importance of Aromatics
While the pork belly is braising, it's the perfect time to infuse even more flavor into the broth. This is where aromatics come into play. Traditional Japanese recipes call for scallions, garlic, ginger, and kombu to be added to the broth. These ingredients not only add depth of flavor, but also help to balance out the richness of the pork belly.
The Final Touches
Once the pork belly is fully braised and tender, it's time to remove it from the liquid and let it cool before slicing it into thin pieces. This will ensure that the meat stays juicy and doesn't dry out. The broth can then be strained and used as the base for your ramen. To truly elevate the dish, top your bowl with soft-boiled eggs, bamboo shoots, and nori for added texture and flavor.
In conclusion, a good bowl of ramen starts with a flavorful and tender braised pork belly. By following this Japanese braised pork belly recipe, you'll be able to create a rich and savory broth that will take your ramen to the next level. So next time you're craving a comforting bowl of Japanese noodle soup, try making your own chashu at home and taste the difference for yourself.
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