Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub

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

Roast pork belly coated in a rich five-spice and soy glaze, featuring crisp crackling and tender meat reminiscent of Malaysian street BBQ. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 100 minutes pairs pork belly with skin, five-spice powder, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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: 80 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Score the skin of 1 kg pork belly in a crisscross pattern with a sharp knife.
  2. Step 2: Crush 3 garlic cloves and combine with 1 tablespoon five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon white pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over the meat side of the pork belly.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork belly skin-side up on a roasting tray lined with foil. Rub 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce on the skin.
  4. Step 4: Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with an additional 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce. After 1 hour, brush this glaze over the skin and increase oven temperature to 220°C (430°F). Roast for an additional 20 minutes until the skin is blistered and crisp.
  6. Step 6: Rest the pork for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 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 Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?

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 with skin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?

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 Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub 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 Soy-Glazed Roast Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?

Asian 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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