Crunchy Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly with Ginger and Garlic

Pork belly is not only for roasting, but it's also for frying and drizzling with delicious sweet fish sauce! This scrumptious recipe comes from the central region of Vietnam. It is rich in flavor with both a sweet and salty flavor.

The Vietnamese name for this dish is Thịt Heo Chiên Nước Mắm Giòn. Here's how that translates into English:

Thịt means meat of pig.
Chiên means to fry.
Nước Mắm means fish sauce.
Giòn means crunchy.

So that's why this recipe is called "Crunchy Vietnamese Pork Belly with Fish Sauce." Ginger and garlic is not mentioned in this recipe, but it is absolutely one of the reasons why this dish is absolutely divine.

In western palettes, most often the roasted pork belly with the crackling skin recipe is synonymous with Vietnamese pork belly. This recipe is different than the roasted pork belly that is ever so popular. This pork belly has a savoury-sweet glaze and an amazing way to transform pork belly into a sweet, but savory meal that is then made a little salty with the fish sauce. So many flavors in one small bite!

I'm going to share with you exactly how to make this delicious recipe that will be guaranteed a fan pleaser.

vietnamese pork belly with garlic and ginger infused - thit heo nuoc mam gion

Make sure you pair this recipe with an appetizer, like my authentic Vietnamese spring rolls.

Table of Contents

Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly Infused with Garlic and Ginger

This Vietnamese dish is so simple. Even better, you can get everything you need at your local grocer without having to make a trip to your Asian supermarket!

The only caveat to that is sometimes, you can't find pork belly at your local grocer, so you might need to make a special visit for that.

I love how the ginger and garlic melded together in this dish brings together a delicious flavor that just can't compare to anything else.

This recipe is also relatively inexpensive, as most of these ingredients for this Vietnamese dish is probably already in your cupboard somewhere. This meal is absolutely delicious, easy to cook without too much time and effort!

How to Make this Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly Stir Fry

For the Pork Belly

2 pounds belly pork
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 serrano pepper, optional
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons of ginger, minced
2 tablespoon of cooking oil

Dipping Sauce Ingredients

¼ cup of fish sauce
¼ cup of sugar
5 cloves of garlic minced

How to Make this Vietnamese Pork Belly Stir Fry

Step 1 | Boil the Pork Belly

Boil a pot of water and boil pork until it is about 50% done. This will allow the pork to remain juicy during the remaining cooking phase.

Step 2 | Dry the Pork Belly and Slice Length Ways

Take the pork out of the pot of water, and pat the pork dry with a paper towel. Drying the pork will ensure that the pork will get crispy!

Step 3 | Cover the pork with flour

Next, take a powl and put the 3 tablespoons of flour in it. Allow the pork to be covered with the flour completely.

Step 4 | Garlic and Ginger

Heat a pan at medium high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of cooking oil (I normally use vegetable oil). Add in the garlic and ginger and smell the delicious aroma! Next, add it the sliced hot pepper (leave out to remove the heat).

vietnamese caramel pork belly with ginger and garlic

Step 5 | Meld in the sugar and salt

Once the garlic and ginger start browning on the dges, meld in the sugar and salt. Turn down to low to medium heat.

Step 6 | Fry the Pork belly

Next, add in the pork belly and cooking for about 20 minutes. Keep turning until the pork is fully cooked.

Step 7 | Prepare the Sauce

Mix all of the ingredients for the sauce well: fish sauce, sugar, and garlic.

Step 8 | Serve

Serve the pork belly with the sauce on the side for dipping along with jasmine rice.

How to Serve Crunchy Vietnamese Fried Pork Belly with Fish Sauce (Thit Heo Chien Nuoc Mam)

Because the garlic and ginger flavor is absolutely flavorful, this dish is typically served with plain jasmine rice along with the fish dipping sauce in a separate dish. This is a delightful dish that allows you to transform pork belly (or any fatty pork cut really) into something spectacular dinner. The beauty of this dish is how easy it is to make!

Recipes like this provide a rich flavor balanced with sweet and tart (of the fish sauce). The sweetness of it with the sugar makes it universally appealing, especially with kids.

Other Vietnamese Pork Recipes You Might Like

If you liked this recipe, you might also like some of the other recipes I have using pork.

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