Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy
Slow-braised pork belly infused with star anise and soy, inspired by traditional Taiwanese flavors from Hsinchu County, yielding tender, flavorful meat with a glossy sauce. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 115 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes pork belly, vegetable oil, about 1/8 inch thick ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 500g, cut into 2-inch cubes pork belly
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 slices, about 1/8 inch thick ginger
- 3 cloves, crushed garlic cloves
- 2 whole star anise
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, crushed rock sugar
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 cup water
- 2 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until hot. Add 500g pork belly cubes and brown each side for 3-4 minutes until golden and some fat renders.
- Step 2: Add 3 slices ginger, 3 crushed garlic cloves, and 2 whole star anise to the pot; stir for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp crushed rock sugar, and 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine. Stir to coat the pork evenly.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup water and 2 stalks scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove scallions and star anise, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (15 min prep + 100 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 Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
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 Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy 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 Hsinchu-Style Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
Chinese 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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