Vietnamese Steamed Pork Belly with Fish Sauce: A Flavorful Delight

Steamed pork belly with fish sauce is a beloved dish in Vietnamese family meals, known for its rich flavor from fish sauce combined with tender, sweet slices of pork. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it also offers high nutritional value, suitable for all family members. Let’s explore how to make this authentic Vietnamese steamed pork belly with fish sauce in the following guide.

Vietnamese Steamed Pork Belly with Fish Sauce

Ingredients Needed

• 500g pork belly
• 5 shallots
• Green onions
• 1 chili pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon green peppercorns
• ½ tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
• Ginger (optional for odor removal)

Note: To make the dish more appealing, choose pork belly with a balanced ratio of fat and lean meat. If you prefer it spicier, you can increase the amount of chili according to your taste.

Steps to Make Steamed Pork Belly with Fish Sauce

Step 1: Preparing the Pork Belly

• After purchasing the pork belly, rinse it with cold water. Use a knife to gently scrape the skin to remove any hair and impurities.
• Mix warm water with coarse salt, stirring until fully dissolved. Soak the pork in this mixture for about 15-20 minutes to eliminate any unpleasant odor. Optionally, add a few slices of ginger or drops of white wine to enhance the effect.
• After soaking, rinse the pork several times under running water to ensure no lingering odors.

Tip: You can also rub salt directly onto the surface of the pork for 5-10 minutes. However, make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid making the pork too salty.

Preparing the Pork Belly

Step 2: Preparing Additional Ingredients and Marinating the Pork

• Peel and rinse the garlic, then mince it finely.
• Rinse the chili, remove the seeds, and chop finely. Choose a chili that matches your desired level of spiciness.
• Rinse and finely chop the shallots and green onions.
• Mix fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, green peppercorns, minced garlic, chili, and chopped shallots into a seasoning mixture. Pour this mixture over the pork and massage it in to ensure the flavors penetrate.
• Let the pork sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate for an additional 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to deeply infuse.

Step 3: Steaming the Pork Belly

• Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator, place it in a deep dish, and put it in a steamer. Steam for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pork.
• During steaming, occasionally open the steamer lid to flip the pork, ensuring even cooking and better flavor absorption.

Step 4: Finishing and Enjoying

• Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the steamer, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and arrange them attractively on a plate.
• The steamed pork belly with fish sauce is best enjoyed with fresh herbs like lettuce, cilantro, basil, or perilla.

Enjoying Steamed Pork Belly with Fish Sauce

Health Benefits of Steamed Pork Belly with Fish Sauce

Pork belly is rich in protein, fats, and essential nutrients. However, consuming too much can affect heart health and blood pressure. Therefore, adjust the amount of pork according to your body’s needs, especially if you have a history of medical conditions.

Conclusion

With this simple yet incredibly appealing recipe for steamed pork belly with fish sauce, you can confidently cook and treat your family to a dish full of Vietnamese flavors. Experiment and add your own creative twists to make the dish even more unique.

Additionally, to achieve the perfect dish, invest in a multi-functional steamer. This product not only saves time but also preserves the natural flavors of the food. Learn more about it here.