20 Must-Try Chinese Pork Belly Recipes

I’ve been on a pork belly kick recently, so I’ve put together a roundup of incredibly flavorful Chinese pork belly recipes I know you’ll adore.

From traditional stir-fries to something more innovative, these dishes will take you on a culinary journey through the heart of China – no passport required!

Pork belly is a must-have if you want to experience authentic Chinese cuisine.

I’m a massive fan of sticky-sweet pork belly with a kick of heat. But I also love it when the fat gets crispy and crackly.

Hmm, I think I need to make one of these Chinese pork belly recipes for dinner tonight!

20 Best Chinese Pork Belly Recipes & Dinner Ideas

1. Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly

This is an unusual recipe that combines all the flavors of the East with a unique braising technique.

And the beauty of this dish is in its rich blend of salty, sweet, and umami tastes. 

The pork belly is cooked in a mix of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar until it develops a crispy, flavorful skin. 

Serve it up over rice or inside bao buns for an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds!

2. Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

Have you ever had one of those nights where nothing sounds good, but you’re too lazy to cook anything complicated?

I’ve been there. And on those nights, I make sticky Chinese pork belly.

It’s a dish that’s sweet, salty, and a little spicy – perfect for when you’re feeling indulgent but don’t want to leave the house. 

3. Chinese Crispy Pork Belly

Crispy pork belly is a deliciously decadent dish that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. 

This crunchy, savory recipe combines succulent pork belly with sweet and tangy Chinese cooking wine, sharp vinegar, and five-spice powder. 

Serve it as part of an Asian-inspired meal or as finger food at your next gathering. Either way, it’ll be a hit!

4. Beer Braised Pork Belly (Chinese Style)

Chinese-style beer braised pork belly is a melt-in-the-mouth experience like no other.

With a flavor balance to make anyone envious, you can’t go wrong.

Start with a fatty pork belly simmered in a masterfully crafted broth of Chinese rice cooking wine and lager.

It’ll open your palate with aromas of soy sauce and ginger. 

And if you’re feeling adventurous, pair it with some slaw made from pickled mustard greens and crunchy corn chips.

5. Braised Pork Belly

Fragrant star anise with sugar, spicy ginger, and a tasty broth? Sign me up!

There’s something about this comfort food that has you coming back for more. Seriously, you’ll make this one over and over again.

And it only gets better each time!

Serve with some roasted potatoes and asparagus on the side, along with a crisp white wine. Delish!

6. Twice Cooked Pork

With hints of garlic and rich browning from the soy sauce, this tender pork dish goes perfectly with steamed rice and your favorite Chinese vegetables. 

The key lies in the double-cooking technique. You’ll cook the pork in water first and then in a wok.

That gives it just the right amount of crunch and tenderness.

7. Gua Bao

This steamed bun sandwich filled with braised pork belly and toppings is truly something special! 

A flavorful embodiment of balance and contrast, it’s not one to miss.

The succulent tenderness of the pork combined with the crispness of the toppings provides an incredible balance that’s sure to awaken your senses.

8. Lu Rou Fan

Lu rou fan is a savory, robust Asian dish of succulent pork belly simmered in soy sauce, rock sugar, and five-spice powder.

The result? A depth of flavor that’ll make you swoon.

The sweetness of the rock sugar plays against the savory flavors of the pork, creating a unique harmony that tantalizes your taste buds. 

9. Mei Cai Kou Rou (Steamed Pork with Preserved Mustard)

Although it appears simple, this steamed pork dish with preserved mustard is complex in its flavoring. 

It features an irresistible combination of sourness and toasted flavors from the mustard.

But it’s balanced beautifully by the subtleness of the meaty pork belly.

Serve it with rice and stir-fried vegetables for lunch or dinner, and get ready for a unique yet familiar taste experience!

10. Cantonese Roast Pork Belly

The secret to the traditional Cantonese flavoring in this recipe lies in its combination of warm sweet spices like five-spice powder and Shaoxing wine. 

Together, these spices provide an exciting contrast of flavors that balances sweet, salty, and smoky tastes for a truly memorable dish.

11. Dry Pot Cauliflower with Pork Belly

This scrumptious dish combines vegetal sweetness with salty and spicy flavors that’re sure to intrigue. 

The cauliflower is first sautéed with garlic and ginger, then lightly pan-fried until the edges are mostly golden brown. 

You’ll add some thinly sliced pork belly for a burst of meaty goodness, then serve it with steamed rice. Yum!

12. Chinese Cured Pork Belly

This is an incredibly flavorful, easy-to-make dish that everyone should try at least once. 

You’ll notice the five spice first, and then the marinade really kicks in. A blend of soy sauce, rice wine, and ginger, this pork is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

But since it’s cured, you also get notes of smokiness.

The balance between spicy and salty creates an umami flavor sensation.

It’s almost like you can taste the dance between sweet and savory in each mouthful.

13. Pork Belly Stew Shanghai Style

This yummy pork belly stew boasts a rich flavor packed with enough zing to leave you wanting more.

It’s an irresistible blend of salty, sweet, spicy, and sour that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palate. 

I sometimes throw in some hard-boiled eggs for an extra layer of flavor and texture. And the protein doesn’t hurt, either.

Serve on its own or atop a bed of fluffy white rice for an unforgettable meal that you’ve got to try!

14. Cantonese Style Braised Pork Belly with Arrowhead Root

This savory dish features pork belly slow-cooked in a mix of soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, and rock sugar until the meat becomes impossibly tender. 

It’s just perfect for pulling apart with chopsticks.

Now add some crunchy arrowhead root to really kick up the texture, and you’re all set.

15. Hunan Pork Stir-Fry

Hunan pork stir-fry is a delicious dish that combines the fiery spices of chili peppers with the umami flavor of fermented black beans.

Cooked in a savory sauce and served with yummy crispy veggies, it’s delightfully complex. Especially when you add the pork belly!

Plus, the hint of honey adds just enough sweetness to make you smile.

16. Shanghai Style Pork Zongzi

This is an alluring dish that never fails to impress. And it’s all thanks to the unique flavor combination of savory and sweet. 

The recipe features pork belly and rice dumplings placed on bamboo leaves or reed leaves for steaming. 

This creates a delicious umami-rich filling, which is made even tastier by the aromatic scent of the warm leaf wrappers. 

17. Pork Belly Hor Fun

A fragrant dish of wide rice noodles that simply melt in your mouth with every bite, hor fun is another must-make recipe.

This bold and flavourful Chinese noodle recipe brings together the mild freshness of both light and dark soy sauce with the heady aromas of dry sherry wine. 

And that’s before the succulent pork belly slices come into play!

18. Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

A true delight for your taste buds, this pork and cabbage stir fry is as delicious as it is effortless. 

This is a truly mouthwatering dish with the perfect combination of savory and slightly sweet flavors. 

And since cabbage is a primary component, it’s cheap too!

Lean pork cooked to perfection with fresh cabbage and onions in an irresistible sauce…need I say more?

19. Roasted Crispy Chinese Pork Belly

If you’re looking for an exciting way to spice up your dinner menu, try this delectable recipe for roasted, crispy Chinese pork belly! 

The succulent pork belly is marinated overnight in a flavorful blend of Chinese five-spice, garlic, and ginger. 

After roasting in the oven until crisp, the dish is ready to be devoured.

20. Homemade Chinese Salted Pork

Simplicity is the hallmark of this amazing Chinese dish.

You only need three ingredients – pork belly, sea salt, and Sichuan peppercorns – plus about ten days of your time.

Yes, really! But it’s mostly hands-off, I promise.

And in the end, you get an amazing piece of succulent, fragrant, and jaw-dropping pork.