Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent pork belly slices pan-fried and coated with a bold, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce that caramelizes beautifully. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 20 minutes pairs 1/4-inch thick pork belly slices, sesame oil, gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Korean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tsp rice vinegar in a small bowl to form the glaze.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz pork belly slices in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and edges are crispy.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and brush pork belly slices generously with the gochujang glaze. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, flipping once, until the glaze thickens and coats the pork belly with a sticky, spicy finish.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 tbsp thinly sliced scallions before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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 Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang 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 sesame oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang 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 Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang Glaze 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 Pan-Fried Korean Pork Belly with Spicy Gochujang 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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