Pan-Fried Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent pork belly slices pan-fried to a golden crisp and glazed with a fragrant Taiwanese five-spice sauce. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, Taiwanese five-spice powder 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.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 500 g pork belly into 1/4-inch thick strips. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp Taiwanese five-spice powder, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger, and 2 tbsp rice wine to form the marinade.
  3. Step 3: Combine pork belly strips with the marinade, coating evenly, and let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add marinated pork belly strips in a single layer.
  5. Step 5: Pan-fry pork belly for 4-5 minutes on each side until the edges are golden brown and the fat is rendered, tossing occasionally.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to medium-low and cook an additional 3 minutes, spooning the glaze over the pork to thicken and coat each piece.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped scallions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (35 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 Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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 Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice Glaze 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 Pan-Fried Taiwanese Pork Belly with Five-Spice Glaze?

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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