Soy-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich pork belly slowly simmered in a soy-ginger broth with tender daikon radish, offering a deeply savory and warming Japanese stew. This japanese-inspired japanese ready in about 85 minutes pairs inch piece, thinly sliced fresh ginger, soy sauce, mirin 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 70 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 500g pork belly cubes in a medium pot and add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer for 5 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse pork under warm water.
  2. Step 2: Return pork to the pot with 300g peeled and chunked daikon radish and 2-inch thinly sliced fresh ginger. Add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 3 tbsp sake, and 1 tbsp sugar.
  3. Step 3: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially. Simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and daikon is translucent.
  4. Step 4: Uncover and increase heat to medium-high. Cook for an additional 10 minutes until sauce thickens and lightly coats the pork and radish.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with 2 chopped green onions for a fresh contrast.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger?

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 Soy-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger?

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-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger 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-Simmered Pork Belly with Daikon and Ginger?

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.

Related recipes