Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone pork belly simmered in a sweet mirin sauce with tender daikon radish. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 95 minutes pairs pork belly, mirin, 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 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 80 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 12 oz pork belly into 1-inch cubes and place in a pot with 1/4 cup mirin, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp minced ginger.
  2. Step 2: Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover and cook for 1 hour until pork is fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large daikon (cut into 1-inch cubes) and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until daikon is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
  4. Step 4: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (15 min prep + 80 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 Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

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 Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

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 Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon 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 Mirin-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

Japanese asian 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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