Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-fried pork belly slices with a crisp edge served alongside a spicy, sweet, and tangy homemade gochujang dipping sauce. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 22 minutes pairs pork belly slices, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb pork belly slices and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork belly slices in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until edges are deeply crisp and golden.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from skillet, drain on paper towels. Serve pork belly with the gochujang sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork belly slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Crisp Korean-Style Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Sauce?

Korean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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