Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a spicy and savory gochujang sauce with garlic and soy for rich Korean flavors. This korean-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes pairs pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly pieces and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until golden and crispy on the edges.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp gochujang, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, coating the pork belly evenly.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang?

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 Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang 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 Spicy Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Gochujang?

Korean 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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