Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot

This comforting clay pot dish combines sweet tender Chinese eggplant with savory salted fish creating a harmonious balance of flavors while the minced pork belly adds richness and soft texture. The gentle stewing in broth infused with dark soy sauce light soy sauce oyster sauce and sugar results in a deeply satisfying meal perfect for […]

Jump to Recipe
Prep
18m
Cook
30m
Total
48m
Servings
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
1/5
Cuisine
Chinese

IngredientsWhat you'll need for Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot

Ingredient Amount
Chinese eggplant 2 as needed
Salted fish 50 as needed
Pork belly (minced) 100 as needed
Ginger a little
Scallions 2 as needed
Garlic 2 as needed
Dark soy sauce ½
Light soy sauce 2 as needed
Oyster sauce 1 as needed
Sugar ½
Salt ¼
Cornstarch 1 as needed
Cooking oil as needed
  • Chinese eggplant2 as needed
  • Salted fish50 as needed
  • Pork belly (minced)100 as needed
  • Gingera little
  • Scallions2 as needed
  • Garlic2 as needed
  • Dark soy sauce½
  • Light soy sauce2 as needed
  • Oyster sauce1 as needed
  • Sugar½
  • Salt¼
  • Cornstarch1 as needed
  • Cooking oilas needed

Cooking StepsHow to cook Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot step by step

  1. Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot
    Step 1

    Prep the ingredients: 1) Cut the eggplant into long strips and soak in water for 10 minutes to prevent oxidation; drain well (pat dry with paper towels so it doesn’t splatter when pan-frying). 2) Soak the salted fish in warm water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt, then dice into small pieces. 3) Mix the sauce: 2 tbsp light soy sauce + 1 tbsp oyster sauce + ½ tbsp dark soy sauce + ½ tbsp sugar + a splash of water.

  2. Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot
    Step 2

    Pan-fry the eggplant: Heat a generous amount of oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the eggplant strips and pan-fry until softened with lightly browned edges, then set aside. (For a lighter version, roast in an air fryer at 180°C for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.)

  3. Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot
    Step 3

    Stir-fry the aromatics: Leave a little oil in the wok. Stir-fry the minced pork belly until it changes color and releases its fat. Add the ginger, garlic, and salted fish dice — stir until fragrant. Toss in some chopped chili or green pepper if desired.

  4. Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot
    Step 4

    Braise until flavorful: Return the eggplant to the wok and toss to combine. Pour in the sauce mixture and add ½ bowl of water or stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and braise for 5–8 minutes so the eggplant soaks up all the flavors.

  5. Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot
    Step 5

    Thicken and serve: Turn the heat to high, drizzle in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little water), and stir until the sauce is glossy and coats the eggplant. For a clay pot presentation, transfer everything to a heated clay pot, simmer for 2 minutes, and garnish with scallions. Serve piping hot!

Salted Fish and Eggplant Clay Pot

This comforting clay pot dish combines sweet tender Chinese eggplant with savory salted fish creating a harmonious balance of flavors while the minced pork belly adds richness and soft texture. The gentle stewing in broth infused with dark soy sauce light soy sauce oyster sauce and sugar results in a deeply satisfying meal perfect for […]

Ingredients

  • 2 as needed Chinese eggplant
  • 50 as needed Salted fish
  • 100 as needed Pork belly (minced)
  • a little Ginger
  • 2 as needed Scallions
  • 2 as needed Garlic
  • ½ Dark soy sauce
  • 2 as needed Light soy sauce
  • 1 as needed Oyster sauce
  • ½ Sugar
  • ¼ Salt
  • 1 as needed Cornstarch
  • as needed Cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: 1) Cut the eggplant into long strips and soak in water for 10 minutes to prevent oxidation; drain well (pat dry with paper towels so it doesn’t splatter when pan-frying). 2) Soak the salted fish in warm water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt, then dice into small pieces. 3) Mix the sauce: 2 tbsp light soy sauce + 1 tbsp oyster sauce + ½ tbsp dark soy sauce + ½ tbsp sugar + a splash of water.

  2. Pan-fry the eggplant: Heat a generous amount of oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the eggplant strips and pan-fry until softened with lightly browned edges, then set aside. (For a lighter version, roast in an air fryer at 180°C for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.)

  3. Stir-fry the aromatics: Leave a little oil in the wok. Stir-fry the minced pork belly until it changes color and releases its fat. Add the ginger, garlic, and salted fish dice — stir until fragrant. Toss in some chopped chili or green pepper if desired.

  4. Braise until flavorful: Return the eggplant to the wok and toss to combine. Pour in the sauce mixture and add ½ bowl of water or stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and braise for 5–8 minutes so the eggplant soaks up all the flavors.

  5. Thicken and serve: Turn the heat to high, drizzle in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with a little water), and stir until the sauce is glossy and coats the eggplant. For a clay pot presentation, transfer everything to a heated clay pot, simmer for 2 minutes, and garnish with scallions. Serve piping hot!

Recipe Details