Simmered Okinawan Pork Belly with Tofu and Sweet Potato

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A hearty Okinawan stew combining tender pork belly, silky tofu, and sweet potato simmered in a savory broth reflecting Okinawa’s traditional flavors. This Japanese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs pork belly, firm tofu, purple sweet potato for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Ingredients

• 400 g, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
• 300 g, cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
• 200 g, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks purple sweet potato
• 1 medium, sliced onion
• 20 g, thinly sliced ginger
• 4 cups dashi stock
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 stalks, chopped for garnish 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 pot over medium-high heat. Add 400 g pork belly cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced onion and 20 g thinly sliced ginger to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and aromatic.
3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups dashi stock, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir gently and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes until pork is tender.
4. Step 4: Add 200 g peeled purple sweet potato chunks and 300 g firm tofu cubes to the pot. Simmer gently for an additional 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft and tofu has absorbed flavors.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce if needed. Serve hot, garnished with 2 chopped green onions.