This Vietnamese Caramel Pork combines the deep, rich flavors of caramelized pork belly with the aromatic taste of soy and fish sauce, creating a mouthwatering dish. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, it’s a comforting dish that will have you coming back for seconds.
Perfect when served with a side of steamed rice, this dish offers both flavor and texture that will tantalize your taste buds. The caramelized sauce coats each tender piece of pork, making it irresistibly delicious. It’s a great meal for family dinners or impressing guests with authentic Vietnamese flavors.
Full Recipe:
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500g (1 lb) pork belly, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) pieces
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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3 tablespoons sugar
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2 tablespoons fish sauce
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 small onion, chopped
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1/2 cup water
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Fresh coriander, for garnish
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Steamed rice, for serving
Directions:
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add the sugar and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until it melts and turns golden brown.
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Carefully add the pork belly pieces to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until the pork is lightly browned.
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Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
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Pour in the fish sauce, soy sauce, black pepper, and salt, and stir to combine.
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Add the water and bring the mixture to a simmer.
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Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes, or until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.
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Once done, garnish with fresh coriander and serve with steamed rice.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 380 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Vietnamese Caramel Pork: A Taste of Tradition and Flavor
Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a dish that combines rich, savory flavors with a touch of sweetness to create a unique culinary experience. Often referred to as “Thit Kho To” in Vietnamese, this traditional dish involves tender pork belly or shoulder that is braised in a savory-sweet coconut water broth, transforming the meat into something extraordinary. The slow cooking process results in caramelized pork pieces that are rich in flavor, tender to the touch, and a joy to eat.
This recipe may sound exotic at first, but the beauty of Vietnamese Caramel Pork lies in how accessible and easy it is to prepare at home. With just a few ingredients and a little time, anyone can recreate the magic of this dish. The secret ingredient that elevates this recipe is coconut water, a subtly sweet and salty liquid that adds complexity to the flavor without overwhelming the dish. If coconut water is unavailable, coconut milk is an acceptable alternative, though it will create a slightly different texture and flavor profile.
The Significance of Coconut Water in Vietnamese Cooking
Coconut water plays a crucial role in the preparation of Vietnamese Caramel Pork. It is not just used as a liquid base; it brings an essential layer of flavor that is neither too sweet nor too salty, making it an ideal companion for pork. Unlike coconut milk, which has a thicker, richer texture and distinct coconut flavor, coconut water adds a more subtle backdrop to the caramelization process. It allows the pork to retain its natural juiciness while soaking up the wonderful flavors of fish sauce, garlic, and shallots.
Coconut water has gained popularity in health circles due to its natural electrolytes and low-calorie content, but in the context of this recipe, it also serves as a practical ingredient. Many supermarkets now carry coconut water, so it’s easy to find and adds that special touch to your cooking without requiring you to source hard-to-find ingredients. If you’re making this dish and coconut water isn’t available, you can substitute it with coconut milk for a richer version, though it will result in a slightly sweeter dish.
Cooking Techniques: Slow-Braising for Perfection
One of the best aspects of Vietnamese Caramel Pork is its simplicity. The dish relies on the slow-braising technique, which is ideal for tougher cuts of pork like shoulder or belly. The meat is first caramelized in sugar and water, which creates a rich, golden-brown glaze. Then, the pork is simmered in a mixture of fish sauce, garlic, and shallots, slowly absorbing the flavors. Over the course of 1.5 hours, the pork becomes tender, and the cooking liquid thickens to a sticky, flavorful glaze.
The beauty of braising is that it allows the pork to cook in its own fat, resulting in incredibly tender meat that practically falls apart with a fork or chopstick. The final moments of cooking are magical: as the liquid reduces and thickens, the pork is transformed into golden, caramelized pieces that are sweet, savory, and utterly irresistible.
Why Pork Shoulder is Preferred Over Pork Belly
Although the traditional recipe for Vietnamese Caramel Pork calls for pork belly, many home cooks, including myself, prefer using pork shoulder. Pork belly, with its high fat content, can sometimes be too greasy, making the dish feel heavy. On the other hand, pork shoulder provides a more balanced texture with a mix of lean meat and fat, which results in a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience without being overly fatty. The shoulder cuts are also generally more affordable than pork belly, making this dish more accessible for anyone looking to recreate it at home.
How to Serve Vietnamese Caramel Pork
The rich and flavorful glaze of Vietnamese Caramel Pork makes it a perfect dish to serve over plain white rice. The rice acts as a neutral base, allowing the savory-sweet pork to shine. Steamed jasmine rice is an excellent choice, as it complements the dish’s fragrant, sticky sauce. For added freshness, pair the pork with a side of crunchy, fresh Asian slaw or pickled vegetables. The acidity of the pickled veggies provides a perfect contrast to the richness of the pork, making each bite more balanced and refreshing.
This dish is ideal for family dinners, dinner parties, or even as a main course for a Vietnamese-inspired banquet. It pairs well with other classic Vietnamese dishes, such as Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls or Lemongrass Chicken, to create a truly authentic Vietnamese meal.
The Beauty of Vietnamese Caramel Pork
Vietnamese Caramel Pork is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. The layers of flavor, the tender meat, and the transformation that happens during the cooking process all contribute to making this dish something special. The fact that it’s so simple to make and uses ingredients that are easy to find makes it even more appealing. It brings the exotic flavors of Vietnam into your home, allowing you to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine without needing to be an expert in the kitchen.
For those who love experimenting with different flavors and textures, this dish offers an opportunity to get creative. While the classic recipe calls for pork shoulder or belly, feel free to experiment with different meats or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. Some people prefer adding a little heat with chili peppers or adjusting the sweetness with extra sugar or honey. As with many traditional dishes, there’s room to personalize this recipe based on your preferences.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Dish for Any Food Lover
Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a recipe that checks all the boxes: it’s flavorful, easy to make, and offers a unique twist on traditional pork dishes. Its savory-sweet combination makes it a crowd-pleaser, and its tender texture ensures that it will be enjoyed by anyone who tries it. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or preparing a special meal for guests, this dish is sure to impress.
Don’t be intimidated by the exotic name or the cooking process—once you try it, you’ll see that it’s surprisingly simple to make and even more rewarding to eat. The combination of coconut water, fish sauce, garlic, and caramelized sugar creates a sticky, sweet glaze that elevates the pork to new heights. Add it to your recipe collection and enjoy the magic of Vietnamese Caramel Pork the next time you’re craving a comforting, flavorful meal.