Tender and Savory Grilled Pork Belly with Crispy Scallion Salad
Tender and Savory Grilled Pork Belly with Crispy Scallion Salad
Enjoy the Ultimate Flavor at Home! Grilled Pork Belly Paired with the Perfect Scallion Salad
With extended periods of staying home due to the pandemic, we decided to break the monotony with a morning date to the market while it was less crowded. The cool weather made it the perfect day for grilling pork belly! And what’s grilled pork belly without a refreshing, tangy, and slightly spicy scallion salad? Let me show you how to make a delicious scallion salad at home that pairs perfectly with your grilled pork belly, elevating your meal experience.
Main Ingredients- Pork Belly
- Fresh Perilla Leaves (깻잎)
Tangy and Sweet Scallion Salad- 2 Scallions (focus on the white and light green parts)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or Fish Sauce)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to 1 Tbsp if you prefer less sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Flavorful Ssamjang (Dipping Sauce)- 2 heaping Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 heaping Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Scallions (focus on the white and light green parts)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or Fish Sauce)
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to 1 Tbsp if you prefer less sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Flavorful Ssamjang (Dipping Sauce)- 2 heaping Tbsp Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1 heaping Tbsp Gochujang (red chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Seeing the high-quality pork belly at such a great price, my husband and I were drawn to it like magnets. We quickly grabbed it to bring home and prepare.
Step 2
Today, we have a generous 5.3kg of pork belly! This means we can enjoy pork belly feasts at home for quite some time. It’s perfect for preparing a generous meal for the whole family.
Step 3
Looking at the cross-section of the pork belly, you can see its freshness. The marbling is well-distributed, promising a tender and savory flavor when grilled.
Step 4
We’ve sliced the pork belly into thick pieces, about 1cm thick. We’re going to grill it without any pre-seasoning to let the natural flavors shine. Slicing it thick ensures it stays juicy and provides a satisfying chew when cooked.
Step 5
As soon as the thick slices of pork belly hit the preheated grill pan, a satisfying ‘sizzle’ fills the air. The delicious sound of the pork belly grilling over direct heat makes my mouth water instantly.
Step 6
Once the pork belly starts browning nicely, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Whisper a little wish for it to cook faster and better – this helps the meat become even more moist and tender.
Step 7
Lift the lid occasionally to check on the pork belly, ensuring it’s cooking evenly and not burning. The key is to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Step 8
Let’s make the flavorful ssamjang that pairs perfectly with grilled pork belly! In a small pot or bowl, combine 2 heaping tablespoons of doenjang, 1 heaping tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Mix everything well, and you’ll have a delicious, savory ssamjang ready in no time.
Step 9
Now, it’s time to prepare the essential scallion salad that completes the grilled pork belly experience! While scallions alone are delicious, adding some chives and fragrant mirliton (Japanese parsley) from our garden enhances the flavor and aroma. (Use only the stems of the mirliton, discarding the leaves.)
Step 10
In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced scallions (from 2 stalks), 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (or fish sauce), 3 tablespoons of gochugaru, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. This dressing ratio creates a perfectly balanced sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy scallion salad.
Step 11
Add the sliced scallions to the prepared dressing. Gently toss them with a relaxed wrist motion, being careful not to overmix. This technique helps the scallions absorb the flavors evenly while retaining their crispness. Avoid crushing the scallions; a gentle toss is key to preserving their refreshing crunch.
Step 12
The taste of freshly picked perilla leaves from the garden, paired with the grilled pork belly and the freshly made scallion salad, is absolutely divine! The fragrant perilla, the crisp scallions, and the savory pork belly create a symphony of flavors in your mouth.
Step 13
The perfectly grilled pork belly, with just the right amount of rendered fat, is tender and wonderfully savory. Served alongside the vibrant scallion salad and rich ssamjang, beautifully plated, it creates a visually appealing and delicious feast that comes together effortlessly.
Step 14
This scallion salad is so delicious, you’ll never get tired of it! And when enjoyed with the savory grilled pork belly, its flavor is amplified. Place a generous portion of the scallion salad on a fresh perilla leaf, add a piece of perfectly grilled pork belly, dip it into the savory ssamjang, and take a big bite. The explosion of flavors will bring tears of joy to your eyes – it’s that incredibly delicious!
