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pork belly bao
Appetizers

pork belly bao (gua bao)

These are the perfect party appetizer and they are so flavorful and fun to make!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 12 -14 bao

Ingredients

  • Pork Belly
  • 2 lb. pork belly slab skinless
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin
  • 1/3 cup mirin
  • 12 oz. lager style beer such as kirin or sapporo
  • 2 tablespoons grated ginger
  • Marinated Cucumbers
  • 3 persian cucumbers sliced thin
  • 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • Pork Belly Bao
  • 12 slices cooked pork belly see above
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin
  • sesame seeds for sprinkling
  • 12 bao buns steamed according to package instructions
  • 3 stalks green onion sliced
  • kewpie or other mayonnaise
  • cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • To make the pork belly: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a smaller (just large enough for the pork belly to sit in) dutch oven over medium heat. Add pork belly fat side down and sear for 5 minutes or so, until browned. Flip the pork belly and add the beer, soy sauce, mirin, hoisin and ginger and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover and place in the oven. Braise for 2 hours, or until tender. Remove from the oven, cool to room temperature. Transfer to the pork belly to a plate, cover and refrigerate until firm.
  • To make the cucumbers: mix rice wine vinegar with sugar, salt, sesame oil and seeds until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Add cucumbers and let marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Preheat an oven to 450. Once the pork belly is firm, cut into 1/4" slices and place on a silpat or foil lined baking sheet. Mix together soy sauce, hoisin, and sriracha and brush over the pork belly slices. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Place in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until pork belly is golden brown. Spread a little kewpie into each steamed bun, add a slice of pork belly and top with marinated cucumbers, greens onions and cilantro.