Get ready to elevate your weeknight meals with my Japanese Pork Belly Stir Fry! I crafted this recipe to deliver tender slices of pork belly tossed in a flavorful homemade Japanese-style sauce! It’s a quick and delicious main dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Japanese sides. With just five simple ingredients and less than five minutes of prep, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal on the table in no time!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
My Japanese Pork Belly Stir Fry is my family’s pick for a quick go-to, flavorful meal that’s bursting with the essence of Japanese cuisine! Crafted with thinly sliced pork belly and my exclusive handcrafted sauce, this recipe blends savory, zesty flavors with a hint of ginger that’s simply irresistible.
It’s a dish I’ve perfected right in my own kitchen, drawing inspiration from my popular Japanese Pork Belly Salad and other stir fry classics like my Japanese Pork Stir Fry and Japanese Ginger Pork Stir Fry. Perfect for anyone craving an easy yet delicious main dish using just five simple Japanese ingredients, this stir fry is ready in under five minutes, making it a weeknight hero! Dive into this fuss free delight and experience a taste you won’t find anywhere else!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Thinly Sliced Pork Belly – thin slices of pork belly similar thickness to bacon. Can be found as Asian grocery stores usually labeled for use in shabu shabu.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Ponzu – a citrus flavored soy sauce found in most Japanese supermarkets, Mizkan brand preferred. Used as the base flavor of the pork belly stir fry sauce.
- Toasted Sesame Oil – use 100% Toasted Sesame Oil found in most Asian supermarkets. Used to provide the stir fry sauce with a little more depth.
- Ginger – freshly grated ginger using a handheld grater or cheese grater. Can be peel or unpeeled depending on personal preference.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Shisho Leaves – a Japanese herb similar to mint, optional. Used to bring some additional flavor into the stir fry.
🥓 Pork Belly Note
If preparing the sliced pork belly yourself, I recommend slicing it while it’s Semi-Frozen. Aim for slices that are Similar in Thickness to Bacon, and be sure to slice Along the Grain of the meat.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
I recommend using a spacious Wok or Deep Skillet to maintain high heat and evenly cook your pork belly stir-fry.
Step 1 Combine ponzu, toasted sesame oil, sweetener, freshly grated ginger, and optional chopped shisho leaves in a mixing bowl.
Step 2 Add neutral cooking oil to a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add thinly sliced pork belly and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown on both sides. After cooking the pork belly thoroughly, remove from heat, add the sauce, toss to combine, and serve immediately with your preferred sides.
💡 Excessive Oil Pro Tip
If there is too much oil after cooking the pork belly, use Paper Towel to Soak Up the Excess Oil before adding in the sauce.
🍽️ Serving Pro Tip
I recommend to Serve this Dish Immediately after cooking while it’s still warm or hot.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
To improve both the texture and presentation of your dish, consider garnishing with Toasted Sesame Seeds.
Recipe Variations
Create simple variation of this recipe by substituting pork belly with thinly sliced pork shoulder and pairing it with my Japanese Pork Stir Fry Sauce, resulting in a savory Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry. For a crunchy twist, add bean sprouts to create my Bean Sprouts and Pork Stir Fry. Or try my Pork and Onion Stir Fry that uses the same ponzu base sauce with different style of flavors. These variations offer unique flavors using the same simple cooking technique as this recipe!
Pairing Recommendations
This pork belly stir fry pairs perfectly with traditional Japanese sides like a refreshing Japanese Cabbage Salad or Japanese Pickled Garlic. For soups, opt for lighter Japanese Chicken Soup or Japanese Hibachi Onion Soup. Serve with rice of choice or try my Japanese Pork Fried Rice for a more filling meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-sliced pork belly from the store?
Yes, pre-sliced pork belly works perfectly for this recipe and something I recommend to do if you can.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
While it's quick to make, you can prepare the sauce to save time when cooking.
How long should I cook the pork belly?
Cook the pork belly until it's browned, usually about 2-3 minutes in an appropriate sized pan.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5-7 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Watch How To Make It
Japanese Pork Belly Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Pork Belly thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp Cooking Oil neutral flavor
- 2 tbsp Ponzu
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1/2 tsp Ginger freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 2 Leaves Shisho Leaves optional flavor, chopped
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Prepare the stir fry sauce by combing ponzu, toasted sesame oil, sweetener, grated ginger and optional chopped shisho leaves in a mixing bowl.
- In a wok or large skillet with preheated cooking oil under medium heat, cook thinly sliced pork belly for 2-3 minutes until browned. Once thoroughly cooked, remove from heat, add sauce to coat and serve immediately.
