pot wrapped meat

How to Make Guo Bao Rou: A Step-by-Step Guide

Guo Bao Rou, a iconic Northeast Chinese dish, is beloved for its crispy texture, sweet and sour sauce, and tender pork. Here’s a detailed recipe to recreate this restaurant favorite at home.

Ingredients:

- 300g pork loin, cut into 1cm-thick strips

- 2 tbsp starch, plus extra for coating

- 1 egg white

- Vegetable oil for frying

- For the sauce: 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp rice wine, 1 cup water

- Garnish: Carrot shreds, cucumber shreds, sesame seeds

Steps:

1. Marinate the pork: Mix pork strips with starch, egg white, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir until sugar dissolves, and set aside.

3. Double-fry the pork: Heat oil to 170°C. Fry pork strips until golden (about 3 minutes), remove, and drain. Increase oil temperature to 190°C, then refry the pork for 1 minute until extra crispy.

4. Make the sauce: In a wok, heat 1 tbsp oil, pour in the sauce, and simmer until slightly thickened.

5. Toss and serve: Add the crispy pork to the sauce, stir quickly to coat evenly. Garnish with carrot/cucumber shreds and sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice.

Tips: For extra crispiness, ensure pork is patted dry before coating. Adjust the sauce’s sweet-sour balance to your taste. Enjoy this delightful harmony of textures and flavors!