Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers

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

Tender pork belly skewers marinated in a sweet soy and awamori liquor blend, grilled to caramelized perfection. This Japanese-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs pork belly, soy sauce, awamori or sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 Japanese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 4 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp awamori or sake, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove until sugar dissolves. Add 400 g 1-inch pork belly cubes and marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Thread marinated pork belly cubes evenly onto eight soaked bamboo skewers.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until pork is caramelized and cooked through with a slightly charred exterior.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot as a savory snack or appetizer.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers 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 Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers?

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 Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers 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 Grilled Rafute-style Okinawan Pork Belly Skewers?

Japanese bbq & smoked 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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