Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage

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

Soft steamed bao buns filled with tender braised pork belly and tangy pickled cabbage, inspired by tropical tiki flavors. This asian fusion-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 270 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, brown sugar 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.

Prep: 150 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 lb pork belly in a pot along with 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 inch sliced ginger, 3 smashed garlic cloves, 2 star anise pieces, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 2 hours until pork is very tender.
  2. Step 2: While pork cooks, combine 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Toss and let sit for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork belly from broth and let cool slightly. Slice pork into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
  4. Step 4: Steam 8 bao buns according to package instructions until soft and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Assemble by opening each bao bun and filling with sliced pork belly, a spoonful of pickled cabbage, and garnish with 1/4 cup cilantro leaves.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage take to make?

Total time is about 270 minutes (150 min prep + 120 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 Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage?

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 Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage 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 Tiki-Style Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Cabbage?

Asian Fusion sandwiches & wraps 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