Vietnamese Braised Pork with Daikon Recipe

Braised pork with daikon is a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals. With the harmonious combination of fatty pork belly and sweet, crunchy daikon, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritious. Let’s explore how to prepare this appealing dish through the article below.

Preparing Ingredients

To make braised pork with daikon for 4 people, you will need the following ingredients:

• Pork belly: 500g
• Daikon: 3 roots
• Shallots: 5 bulbs
• Chili: 1 piece
• Cooking oil: 3 tablespoons
• Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Rock sugar: a little
• Common spices: Salt, sugar, MSG, ground pepper

Ingredients for Braised Pork with Daikon

Steps to Follow

Preparing Ingredients

After buying the pork belly, soak it in diluted saltwater for about 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water and let it drain to remove any odor. Then, cut the pork into bite-sized squares.

Peel the daikon, rinse it clean, and cut it into finger-sized pieces. Rinse the green onions, chop them finely. Peel the shallots and mince them. Rinse the chili, and chop it finely.

Marinating the Pork

Place the pork belly in a bowl and marinate it with minced shallots, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, and a little rock sugar. Mix well and let it marinate for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Braising the Pork

Place a pot on the stove, add all the marinated pork, turn on medium heat, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the pork is firm. Next, add 1/3 cup of water to the pot, add all the daikon, stir once to mix the ingredients, cover the pot, and braise on low heat for about 10 minutes.

After braising, when the pork and daikon are cooked, add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and mix well. Cook for another 2 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking, turn off the heat, and serve the dish on a plate. Sprinkle with finely chopped green onions, ground pepper, and chopped chili to enhance the flavor.

Finished Braised Pork with Daikon Dish

Tips for Choosing Ingredients and Cooking Notes

To make a delicious and authentic braised pork with daikon dish, choosing the right ingredients is crucial:

• Choose pork belly pieces with a balanced ratio of meat and fat. Good pork belly will have white, opaque fat, pinkish meat, and a dry outer layer that doesn’t feel sticky to the touch.
• Choose medium-sized daikon that tapers towards the end. Daikon with a plump end usually contains a lot of water and lacks flavor. Fresh daikon will still have its stems and roots intact, with fresh, unbroken stems.
• Avoid daikon with wilted or rotten stems, even if the skin still looks shiny, as they may have been treated with preservatives.

When cooking, keep in mind:

• The pork must be thoroughly cleaned and deodorized before cooking.
• The braising time must be long enough for the pork to become tender and absorb the flavors.
• Season the dish moderately, not too salty or too sweet.
• Stir frequently while braising to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

A well-made braised pork with daikon dish will have tender, slightly fatty pork and daikon that is just cooked through, retaining its crunch and sweetness. The dish, with its vibrant colors and the aromatic scent of green onions and ground pepper, pairs perfectly with hot rice.

With the simple recipe above, you can now prepare a delicious braised pork with daikon dish for your family. Good luck!