Okinawa Shoyu Pork

4.6
(49)

I think the Okinawans got the slow food concept right on — this was one of my favorite dishes growing up... shoyu pork... eaten over rice or on top of soba. The soy sauce-marinated, slow-cooked pork with just the right amount of sweet taste (imagine Okinawan brown sugar) is pretty close to perfect....

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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 ½ pounds whole pork belly

  • ½ cup soy sauce

  • ½ cup packed brown sugar

  • ½ cup water

  • ½ cup mirin (Japanese sweet wine)

  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 1 clove garlic, or to taste

Directions

  1. Place pork belly into a large pot, and cover with water about 1-inch above the pork. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and simmer for 2 minutes. Discard water and fill pot with fresh water about 1-inch above the pork. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the pork begins to soften, about 1 hour.

  2. Remove the pork from the water, and place on a cutting board. Allow pork to cool for a few minutes, then slice off the thick skin and discard. Cut the remaining pork meat into 1-inch wide slices. Set aside.

  3. Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, mirin, ginger, and garlic in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the sliced pork belly, then bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to low, and place a sheet of aluminum foil directly over the meat and sauce. Simmer uncovered until the pork is tender, 30 to 45 minutes, turning the pork several times to cook evenly.

Cook’s Note

It's best to use pork belly, but pork tenderloin or boneless pork short ribs are also great.

You can substitute 1/2 cup water for katsuo dashi. Katsuo dashi is a fish stock made from water and bonito flakes. In a small pot, boil 1 to 2 cups of water and about 1/2 cup bonito flakes for a few minutes. Pour into a bowl, straining the bonito flakes out of the liquid so you have only stock.

90 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

331 Calories
16g Fat
27g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 331
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 2071mg 90%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 24g
Protein 15g 31%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 292mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.