table braised pork rice recipe

How to Make Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice (Zha Rou Fan)

Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice, or "Zha Rou Fan," is a beloved comfort food known for its tender pork and savory sauce served over steamed rice. Here’s a simple guide to making this iconic dish.

Ingredients:

- 500g pork belly, diced

- 5 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced

- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled

- 4 shallots, minced

- 4 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce

- 1 tbsp sugar

- 1 tsp five-spice powder

- 1 cup water or stock

- 2 cooked rice bowls, steamed

Steps:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Stir-fry minced shallots and garlic until fragrant.

2. Brown Pork: Add diced pork belly and cook until slightly crispy. Pour in soy sauces and five-spice powder, stirring to coat evenly.

3. Simmer: Add mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, water/stock, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

4. Thicken Sauce: Uncover and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

5. Serve: Spoon the pork and sauce over steamed rice. Garnish with a pickled vegetable side for balance.

Tips: For richer flavor, use a mix of pork belly and shoulder. Adjust soy sauce and sugar to taste. Enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any meal!