Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice

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

A rich and tender braised pork belly dish steeped in a savory-sweet soy sauce infused with aromatic five-spice powder, capturing traditional Shanghainese flavors. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, pairs pork belly, skin on, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 600 g pork belly into 1.5-inch cubes, ensuring skin is intact. Blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and pat dry.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 4 slices ginger and 3 stalks green onions, sautéing until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add pork belly cubes and sear on all sides until the edges turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 30 g rock sugar and cook over low heat until sugar melts and caramelizes to a deep amber color, coating the pork evenly.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 3 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, and 4 tbsp Shaoxing wine; stir to combine.
  6. Step 6: Add 400 ml water, 2 star anise pieces, 1 small cinnamon stick, and 1 tsp five-spice powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially.
  7. Step 7: Simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.
  8. Step 8: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to concentrate the sauce. Serve hot with steamed white rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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 Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

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, skin on from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

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 Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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 Shanghainese Red-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

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.

Related recipes