Banh Mi Pork Belly

Banh Mi is more than just a sandwich; it’s a cultural phenomenon that beautifully balances savory, sweet, spicy, and sour elements. This Banh Mi Pork Belly recipe takes you on a culinary journey to the bustling streets of Vietnam, where each bite offers an explosion of flavors and textures. Perfect for any time of day, this dish is as delightful to make as it is to eat.

“Banh Mi: A symphony of flavors wrapped in simplicity.”

Highlights

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Servings: 4 sandwiches
• Calories: 550kcal per serving

Ingredients

For the Pork Belly:

• 1 pound pork belly, skin on
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder

Pickled Vegetables:

• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup daikon radish, julienned
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Assembly:

• 4 crusty baguettes, sliced lengthwise
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Sliced jalapeños (optional)
• Mayonnaise or aïoli, to taste
• Dried shrimp powder (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pork Belly: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Score the skin of the pork belly in a crosshatch pattern and season with salt and pepper.

2. Marinate the Pork: In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, garlic powder, and five-spice powder. Rub this mixture all over the pork belly, ensuring it is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.

3. Bake the Pork Belly: Place the pork belly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, skin side up. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Allow it to rest before slicing thinly against the grain.

4. Make Pickled Vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine carrots, daikon radish, rice vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate until ready to use.

5. Assemble the Banh Mi Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise or aïoli on both sides of each baguette half. Layer with slices of pork belly, pickled vegetables, cilantro leaves, and jalapeños if using. Sprinkle dried shrimp powder for an extra layer of flavor.

Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for this recipe, keep in mind that it may vary based on ingredients selected or substituted:

• Serving: 1 sandwich
• Calories: 550kcal
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 20g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 10g

Indulge in the explosion of flavors in this iconic Vietnamese sandwich featuring succulent pork belly, tangy pickles, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for any time of day, this dish is as delightful to make as it is to eat.