roasting pork with tofu bamboo

How to Make Braised Pork with Yuba: A Complete Guide

Braised pork with yuba (腐竹烧肉) is a beloved Chinese dish, prized for its tender meat, silky yuba, and rich umami sauce. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to recreate it at home.

Ingredients:

- 500g pork belly (cut into 2cm cubes),

- 100g dried yuba (soaked in warm water until soft),

- 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp cooking wine,

- 1 tbsp sugar, 1 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick,

- 3 garlic cloves, 1 ginger slice, vegetable oil, water.

Steps:

1. Prepare the pork: Boil pork cubes in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove scum. Drain and rinse.

2. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a pot. Sauté garlic, ginger, and star anise until fragrant.

3. Braise the pork: Add pork, stir-fry until slightly browned. Pour in cooking wine, soy sauces, and sugar. Add water to cover the meat.

4. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes until pork is tender.

5. Add yuba: Soaked yuba absorbs flavor quickly. Add it to the pot, simmer for 10-15 minutes until soft. Adjust seasoning if needed.

6. Serve: Garnish with scallions. Enjoy with steamed rice!

Tips: Soak yuba until soft but not mushy. For a deeper flavor, marinate pork overnight. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice, making it a comforting family meal.