Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon

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

Rich pork belly slowly braised in a savory soy and mirin broth paired with tender daikon radish for a comforting Japanese pork dish. This japanese ready in about 110 minutes pairs soy sauce, mirin, sake 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 95 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and add 1 lb pork belly cubes. Brown the pork for 5 minutes, turning occasionally until nicely caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup daikon radish chunks and 1 tbsp thinly sliced ginger to the pot, stirring for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 1/4 cup sake, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
  4. Step 4: Simmer gently for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and daikon is soft and infused with the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and serve hot with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon take to make?

Total time is about 110 minutes (15 min prep + 95 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 Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

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 Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon 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 Slow-Simmered Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Daikon?

Japanese japanese 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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