Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slices glazed halfway through cooking with a sweet and savory Korean sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork belly, sliced 1/4 inch thick, soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 3, 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger to make the glaze sauce.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb sliced pork belly in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the bottom side is golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the pork belly slices and pour half of the prepared glaze (about 3 tbsp) over them. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, spooning glaze over pork occasionally until pork is cooked through and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork belly from skillet and transfer to a serving plate. Sprinkle 3 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame?

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 Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Half-Glazed Korean Pork Belly with Scallion and Sesame?

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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