Pan-Fried Pork Belly with Sour Cabbage (Skillet)
烤五花肉酸菜（平底锅） · northern cuisine
This is a home version of the pickled cabbage that's a staple at Chinese BBQ restaurants. A flat skillet does the job; the method also adapts to foil-tray grilling. The author prefers the pork fried until crispy, but a shorter cook keeps it tender.
Gus WhitfieldRetired firefighter in Texas, been smoking brisket since before it was cool. Low and slow is the only way. Still burn the rice sometimes, don't judge.Nutrition & allergens
Contains:SesameSoyWheat
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (4 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- Unknown
- Protein (g)
- Unknown
- Fat (g)
- Unknown
- Carbs (g)
- 6.7(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
pork belly五花肉
as needed
onion洋葱
0.5 whole
Sour mustard greens (suan cai)酸菜
17.64 oz
Cumin孜然
0.06 cup
salt盐
to taste
Ground chile辣椒粉
0.06 cup
0.51 cup
0.06 cup
to taste
Techniques you'll use
- Marinating ↗
Season protein ahead with soy, wine, and starch for flavor and texture.
- Pan-frying (jian) ↗
Sear food in a shallow layer of oil, one side at a time.
- Stir-frying ↗
Cook small pieces in stages, then bring them together while their textures are distinct.
Steps
Slice the pork belly and shred the onion. Rinse the sour cabbage, soak it for 1 hour, rinse again, and squeeze out the water well. In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cabbage, shredded onion, cumin, salt, chili powder, pepper, and vegetable oil, and toss everything together evenly by hand.
✅ Done when: The cabbage, onion, and seasonings are evenly coated and well combined.
- 2
Step 2
Add a suitable amount of vegetable oil to a flat skillet and lay in the pork belly slices.
✅ Done when: The pork slices sit in the oiled pan in a single layer and begin to sizzle.
Fry until the bottom is lightly golden, then flip the slices.
✅ Done when: The underside of each slice is just turning pale gold.
Add the seasoned sour cabbage mixture from earlier and fry briefly.
✅ Done when: The cabbage mixture is spread in the pan and starts to heat through.
Mix everything evenly with the pork and keep frying over low heat, adding 1 spoonful of light soy sauce. Stir and turn often so nothing sticks and scorches on the bottom.
✅ Done when: The mixture cooks over low heat while stirring, with no browning or sticking on the pan bottom.
Fry through for about 1-2 minutes. If it tastes bland, add a little more salt. Sprinkle in the white sesame seeds, toss to combine, and plate.
✅ Done when: The cabbage is fully cooked through after 1-2 minutes and the sesame seeds are evenly mixed in.
- 7
Step 7
The author doesn't care for cilantro, but stirring some fresh cilantro in at the end makes the dish look even better — optional, to your taste.
✅ Done when: The dish is plated and any optional cilantro is stirred in just before serving.