Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a savory-sweet glaze of gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, capturing the essence of Korean regional flavors. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 85 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork belly, gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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: 15 min Cook: 70 min Serves 6 Korean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, combine 2 lbs cubed pork belly with 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 cup water.
  2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.
  3. Step 3: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high, cooking for an additional 10 minutes to reduce the sauce until it coats the pork in a sticky glaze.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp sesame oil for richness and remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve with steamed rice or leafy greens.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze?

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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze?

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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang and Soy Glaze?

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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