radish stew

How to Make Braised Pork with Radish: A Complete Guide

Braised pork with radish is a comforting, flavorful dish enjoyed worldwide. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to master it.

Ingredients: 500g pork belly (cut into 2cm cubes), 1 large radish (peeled and chunked), 3-4 cloves garlic (sliced), 1 ginger slice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tbsp sugar, a pinch of five-spice powder, and water or broth.

Steps:

1. Sear the pork: Heat oil in a pot over medium-high. Add pork, cook until browned on all sides. Drain excess fat.

2. Aromatics: Toss in garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Simmer: Pour in soy sauce, cooking wine, and sugar. Mix well, then add water to cover the pork. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

4. Add radish: Place radish chunks into the pot. Simmer for another 20-25 minutes until radish turns tender and absorbs the broth.

5. Thicken (optional): For a richer sauce, simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to reduce liquid. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.

Serving: Serve hot with steamed rice. The radish soaks up the savory pork broth, becoming melt-in-your-mouth soft, while the meat remains juicy and flavorful. This hearty dish is perfect for cold days and easy to customize with star anise or chili for extra depth. Enjoy!