Babi Chin/Braised Pork Belly in Fragrant Spices
This Penang Peranakan dish is almost similar to Babi Hong. The only differences are lesser galangal (cekur/sand ginger/sar keong) is not added to Babi Chin and mushrooms are not used in Babi Hong. It is a braised dish that goes well with rice, congee or noodles. Try the RECIPE and enjoy the dish!
Recipe by Mama Ding
Total Time | 1 hr 50 mins
Prep Time | 20 mins
Cook Time | 1 hr 30 mins
Servings : 4 - 6
Ingredients
500 g (1.1 lb) pork belly, cut into 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick
3 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup shallots, peeled and coarsely chopped
10 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
5 pieces star anise
1 tbsp ground coriander seeds/serbuk ketumbar
10 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked for 20 mins then halved
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1 tbsp sugar or to taste
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1 liter water
For garnish~
2 red chillies, sliced
some fried garlic slices
Method
01 In a wok/pan, heat the cooking oil. When the oil is hot, saute the garlic slices until browned and fragrant, about 2 - 3 mins. Remove and set aside.
Using the same oil, saute the chopped shallots until lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 mins.
02 Add the star anise and coriander powder. Saute for 1 min.
Add the mushroom halves. Saute for 2 - 3 mins then add the pork.
Stir fry for 5 mins to sear the pork.
03 Add the dark soy sauce, salt, sugar, pepper and water. Add the fried garlic slices from step 01. Leave some garlic slices for the garnish, if desired.
Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and put the lid on.
Simmer on medium heat for 75 mins or longer until the pork is fork tender and the sauce reduced. Stir every 15 mins to prevent burning.
04 Dish up and garnish with sliced red chillies and some fried garlic slices.
Serve hot with rice, congee or noodles.
Notes
This dish tastes better after resting it overnight for the flavors to develop. Serve with some sambal belacan and more sliced red chillies on the side.
You can substitute with chicken to make Ayam Chin but braising time will be shorter. Cook until chicken is tender at step 03, about 30 mins.