Savory Napa Cabbage and Pork Belly Stir-fry
Savory Napa Cabbage and Pork Belly Stir-fry
How to Make a Delicious Stir-fry with Napa Cabbage and Pork Belly
With Napa cabbage being so affordable during the kimchi-making season, I decided to use up a whole head I had. Napa cabbage, regardless of the dish, always offers its unique sweet flavor and aroma, and it’s so filling, making it a versatile ingredient for many meals. This time, I stir-fried fresh Napa cabbage with savory pork belly for a fantastic one-dish meal. I enjoyed it with a bowl of rice, and honestly, no other side dishes were needed! The combination of vegetables and meat is ideal for both taste, nutrition, and health. Using thinly sliced pork belly with the rind attached made it wonderfully tender when cooked alongside the soft cabbage. While a simple oyster sauce stir-fry is delicious, I found that using classic Korean seasonings like soy sauce and gochugaru gave it a lighter, fresher feel that I preferred. The aroma of the cooking pork belly and cabbage is truly enticing. A touch of gochugaru adds a beautiful reddish hue, making it even more appealing. Even when cooked, the cabbage remains pleasantly crisp yet sweet, perfectly complementing the thinly sliced, tender pork belly and the savory-sweet, slightly spicy sauce. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can simply stir-fry the cabbage with the sauce, omitting the pork belly. This one-pan dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that you’ll want to finish completely. It’s a delightful dish to enjoy during this season when Napa cabbage is at its best!
Main Ingredients- Pork belly 200g
- Fresh Napa cabbage leaves 3
- Salt 1 pinch (for stir-frying cabbage)
- Green onion 1 section (about 7cm)
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Black pepper, a pinch
Stir-fry Sauce- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Crab-infused soy sauce 1 Tbsp (or regular soy sauce)
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 1 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (anchovy) 1/2 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Crab-infused soy sauce 1 Tbsp (or regular soy sauce)
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking wine) 1 Tbsp
- Fish sauce (anchovy) 1/2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently wash 3 fresh Napa cabbage leaves and pat them dry.
Step 2
Cut the washed cabbage lengthwise in half, then slice it into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm wide. This ensures a pleasant texture and makes it easy to eat.
Step 3
Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces as well. Cutting them too small might reduce the satisfying chewiness once cooked, so aim for a moderate size.
Step 4
Finely chop the green onion. For the garlic, press the cloves with the side of your knife to smash them, then mince them finely. Using minced garlic will enhance the flavor and help the sauce meld better.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious stir-fry sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, crab-infused soy sauce, oligosaccharide, gochugaru, mirin, and fish sauce. Mix them thoroughly. (Tip: If you have the tougher stem parts of the cabbage, you can slice them separately, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them sit for about 30 minutes to drain excess water and absorb seasoning, making them even tastier. If this step is inconvenient or you’re skipping it, simply add a pinch of salt directly to the cabbage when stir-frying.)
Step 6
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add the sliced pork belly. Cook until it’s golden brown and has rendered some of its fat. It’s best to let the fat cook out.
Step 7
Once the pork belly is almost cooked through, add the prepared Napa cabbage and a pinch of salt. Continue to stir-fry over medium-high heat. Covering the pan briefly can help the cabbage cook faster and more evenly.
Step 8
When the cabbage has softened and wilted, add the prepared stir-fry sauce, chopped green onion, and minced garlic. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir everything together until well combined. Ensure the sauce coats the cabbage and pork belly evenly by stir-frying thoroughly.
Step 9
Finally, sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper to finish. Your delicious Napa Cabbage and Pork Belly Stir-fry is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
