Pan-Seared Pork Belly with Shoyu Garlic Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

Crispy pan-seared pork belly slices glazed with a sweet and savory shoyu garlic sauce, perfect for an indulgent appetizer or main course. This Japanese recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pork belly slices, soy sauce (shoyu), mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 400g, about 1/2-inch thick pork belly slices
• 3 tbsp soy sauce (shoyu)
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 400g pork belly slices in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until the edges are crispy and golden brown. Remove pork belly and set aside.
2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and in the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
3. Step 3: Add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, and 1 tbsp brown sugar to the skillet. Stir continuously and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
4. Step 4: Return the pork belly slices to the skillet and coat them well with the shoyu garlic glaze by turning them in the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Plate the glazed pork belly and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onion stalks. Serve immediately while hot.