Hearty Pork Soboro Rice Balls
Hearty Pork Soboro Rice Balls
Perfect for Kids’ Breakfast! Easy Pork Soboro & Seaweed Flake Rice Ball Recipe
Introducing a recipe for ‘Pork Soboro Rice Balls,’ perfect as a nutritious snack or a hearty breakfast for children. Using protein and vitamin-rich ground pork, this dish combines a sweet and savory seasoning with delicious seaweed flakes to capture kids’ taste buds. The enjoyable texture will make even picky eaters happily munch on their rice. Making a generous batch of the versatile pork soboro means you can store it in the kimchi refrigerator for up to 10 days, making it highly practical. (Recipe adapted from culinary researcher Asom)
Pork Soboro Ingredients- 250g ground pork
- 1/2 Tbsp cooking oil
- Scant green onion (about 2 Tbsp, finely chopped)
Pork Marinade (Phase 1)- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
Pork Seasoning (Phase 2)- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
Rice Ball Ingredients (Makes about 8 medium-sized balls)- 1 bowl warm cooked rice
- 5 Tbsp prepared pork soboro
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Scant toasted sesame seeds
- Scant seaweed flakes
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
Pork Seasoning (Phase 2)- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
Rice Ball Ingredients (Makes about 8 medium-sized balls)- 1 bowl warm cooked rice
- 5 Tbsp prepared pork soboro
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Scant toasted sesame seeds
- Scant seaweed flakes
- 1 bowl warm cooked rice
- 5 Tbsp prepared pork soboro
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Scant toasted sesame seeds
- Scant seaweed flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 250g of ground pork by gently patting it dry with paper towels to remove excess blood. Finely chop the green onion until you have about 2 tablespoons. This step helps to reduce any porky odor and achieve a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Heat 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and break up any clumps with a spatula or spoon as you stir-fry, ensuring the pork is cooked evenly without sticking together.
Step 3
Once the pork is cooked through and has changed color, add 2 tablespoons of cooking wine (mirin) and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry until the liquid has evaporated, cooking the pork until it’s dry and slightly crisp. This process enhances the nutty flavor of the pork.
Step 4
The key to making delicious pork soboro is to evaporate any moisture during the cooking process and stir-fry until the pork pieces are separate and slightly crispy. This ensures the seasoning will absorb beautifully.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 4 tablespoons of cooking wine (mirin). Whisk well to create the seasoning sauce, ensuring all ingredients are smoothly incorporated.
Step 6
Pour the prepared Phase 2 seasoning sauce over the cooked pork in the pan. Continue to stir constantly over low heat to prevent the sauce from burning and ensure it coats the pork evenly.
Step 7
As you continue to cook, the sauce will thicken and the pork will become glossy. Cook at a relaxed pace to allow the seasoning to fully penetrate the meat. It will gradually reach a rich, jam-like consistency.
Step 8
When the sauce has reduced and the pork appears nicely browned and slightly dry, add the chopped green onions. Stir-fry briefly for another minute to release their aroma, then turn off the heat. The fresh green onion scent will add another layer of flavor.
Step 9
In a bowl, combine 1 bowl of warm cooked rice with 5 tablespoons of the prepared pork soboro, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of seaweed flakes. Gently mix with a spatula, being careful not to mash the rice grains, until all ingredients are well combined.
Step 10
Put on food-safe gloves and shape the rice mixture into small, round balls, about bite-sized for children. Your delicious Pork Soboro and Seaweed Flake Rice Balls are now ready to be enjoyed! It’s also a fun activity to make them with your kids.
