Hui Guo Rou (Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir-Fry)
Why this recipe works
- Layered savoury flavour: Doubanjiang colours the oil and gives the pork a fermented chilli depth, while soy sauce, Shaoxing wine and sugar round out the glaze.
- Tender pork, crisp leeks: Simmering softens the pork before stir-frying, so the slices stay tender while the leeks remain just crisp.
- Classic twice-cooked method: Cooking the pork in two stages helps the belly slice cleanly, render lightly in the wok, and develop the curled edges associated with hui guo rou.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For a gentler heat: Use a little less doubanjiang and keep the soy sauce modest, as the paste also contributes salt and savoury depth.
- For more intensity: Choose a hotter doubanjiang or add extra at the frying stage, letting it briefly colour the oil before coating the pork.
- Keep the heat balanced: A small amount of sugar helps soften the chilli’s sharpness without making the dish taste sweet.
Ingredient notes
- Choose pork belly with even layers: A balanced mix of meat and fat gives the best texture: rich but sliceable, with enough fat to gloss in the wok.
- Doubanjiang varies: Some brands are much saltier or more fermented than others, so taste before adding any extra soy sauce at the end.
- Shaoxing wine substitute: Dry sherry is the closest simple swap, but it will taste slightly softer and less savoury than Shaoxing cooking wine.
Texture tips
- Cool before slicing: Letting the simmered pork cool until easy to handle makes it easier to cut into thin, even slices.
- Let the edges curl: Stir-fry the pork until the fat turns glossy and the edges begin to curl before adding the aromatics and sauce.
- Add leeks at the end: Leeks need only a short stir-fry so they soften slightly while keeping a fresh bite.
Make-ahead tips
- Cook the pork ahead: The pork belly can be simmered in advance, cooled, and refrigerated before slicing and stir-frying.
- Reheat in a hot pan: Warm leftovers in a wok or frying pan with a small splash of water until piping hot, stirring often so the glaze does not stick.
- Best freshly stir-fried: The pork keeps well, but the leek texture is at its best straight from the wok.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put the pork belly in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 25 minutes until the pork is just tender but not falling apart. Drain well in a colander and leave until cool enough to handle.
- While the pork cools, trim and wash the leeks, then slice them on a slight diagonal into 1 cm pieces. Peel the ginger and slice into fine matchsticks, then peel and thinly slice the garlic. Slice the pork belly thinly across the grain into 3 to 4 mm slices.
- Heat the rapeseed oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the pork and stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes until the edges start to curl and the fat turns glossy. Push the pork to the side of the wok.
- Add the ginger and garlic to the cleared space and stir-fry for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the doubanjiang and fry for 30 seconds to colour the oil, keeping the heat moderate so it does not catch. Toss everything together until the pork is evenly coated.
- Add the Shaoxing Cooking Wine, Light soy sauce and Caster sugar, then stir-fry for 1 minute until the sauce looks glossy and clings to the pork. Add the leeks and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender with a little crunch. Take off the heat and finish with the toasted sesame oil.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Slice the pork belly thinly and evenly so it fries quickly and the edges curl, which is a key texture in hui guo rou.
- Doubanjiang varies in saltiness, so taste at the end and adjust by adding a splash more light soy sauce only if needed.
- If you are serving vulnerable groups, ensure the pork is cooked until piping hot throughout after stir-frying.
Substitutions
- Replace rapeseed oil with vegetable oil for a similarly neutral stir-fry base.
- Replace Shaoxing Cooking Wine with dry sherry for a comparable aroma and sweetness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a hot wok or frying pan with a splash of water for 2 to 4 minutes until piping hot, stirring often to prevent sticking.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 55min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Chinese
-
Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
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