Spicy Buldak Pork Belly Donburi

Ingredients

• 1 kg Pork belly (Cut into thick 4–5 cm cubes)
• 4 Soft-boiled eggs (Prepared before adding near the end of braising)
• Bok choy (Blanched; approximately 300 g estimated)
• 2 bowls Cooked rice (Approximately 2 cups cooked rice estimated)
• 3 slices Ginger
• 1 Green onion
• 800 ml Water (For braising)
• 80 ml Soy sauce
• 4 tbsp Buldak sauce (Use a spicy Korean Buldak sauce)
• 70 g Dark brown sugar
• 60 ml Mirin
• 60 ml Sake (Or cooking wine)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the pork belly into thick 4–5 cm cubes. Pat the pieces dry so they sear rather than steam.

2. 2

   Heat a large heavy pan or braising pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly and sear it until golden brown on all sides, turning the pieces as needed. The rendered fat should help brown the pork; drain excess fat if the pan becomes overly greasy.

3. 3

   Mix the soy sauce, Buldak sauce, dark brown sugar, mirin, and sake together in a bowl until the sugar is mostly incorporated.

4. 4

   Pour 800 ml water directly into the pan with the seared pork.

5. 5

   Add the sliced ginger and green onion to the pan.

6. 6

   Pour in the mixed spicy braising sauce and stir gently to distribute it around the pork.

7. 7

   Bring the liquid to a simmer, then cover the pan with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 90 minutes or longer, turning the pork occasionally, until it is exceptionally tender and easily pierced with a fork. Avoid a vigorous boil, which can toughen the meat and reduce the sauce too quickly.

8. 8

   Near the end of the braising time, add the soft-boiled eggs to the pan. Spoon the braising liquid over them and let them warm and absorb the savory glaze for several minutes.

9. 9

   Blanch the bok choy until crisp-tender and bright green, then drain well.

10. 10

    Divide the warm cooked rice among four bowls. Top with the tender pork belly, soft-boiled eggs, and blanched bok choy.

11. 11

    Drizzle extra braising glaze over each bowl and serve hot.

Notes

The source specifies simmering for 90+ minutes; continue until the pork is truly fork-tender. The amount of bok choy is not specified, so prepare enough for four servings. Take care when adding eggs to the hot braising liquid so they do not break.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• Korean-inspired
• donburi
• spicy
• braised
• pork
• rice bowl
• comfort food