Vietnamese Caramelized Pork & Eggs Recipe

Vietnamese Caramelized Pork and Eggs in Coconut Water (Thịt Kho Nước Dừa) is a beloved traditional dish, capturing the authentic taste of Vietnam. Discover the detailed recipe to create this delicious meal!

1. Ingredients You’ll Need

To make delicious Vietnamese Caramelized Pork and Eggs, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Pork belly: 700g
• Quail eggs: 14
• Coconut water: 400ml
• Fish sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Cooking oil: 3 tablespoons
• Garlic: 1 bulb
• Fresh chili: 1
• Shallots: 3
• Seasonings: sugar, salt, MSG (monosodium glutamate), bouillon powder (pork or chicken recommended)

Ingredients for Vietnamese Caramelized Pork and Eggs

2. Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Hard-boil the quail eggs, peel them, and lightly fry until golden brown. Rinse the pork belly and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Finely mince the shallots, garlic, and chili.

Step 2: Marinate the Pork

Marinate the pork with:

• 5 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon MSG
• Minced shallots, garlic, and chili

Marinate for about 5-6 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Step 3: Braise the Pork and Eggs

• Sear the marinated pork over high heat for about 3 minutes until lightly browned.
• Add 200ml of coconut water, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the liquid reduces significantly.
• Add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, the remaining 200ml of coconut water, and the fried quail eggs.
• Continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the pork is tender.

Braising pork belly and quail eggs in coconut water sauce

3. Tips for Perfect Caramelized Pork

• Choose pork belly with a good balance of fat and lean meat for the best flavor and texture.
• Simmer uncovered for a clearer sauce and better color.
• You can substitute quail eggs with duck eggs or chicken eggs.
• Marinating the pork longer allows the flavors to deepen.
• Adjust the amount of coconut water to suit your taste preference (for sweetness and sauce consistency).

The finished Caramelized Pork and Eggs will have a beautiful brown color, tender and flavorful meat, combined with the slightly chewy eggs, creating a distinctive taste. This dish is best served hot with steamed rice!