Authentic Chinese Crispy Pork Belly (Siu Yuk)

Name: Authentic Chinese Crispy Pork Belly (Siu Yuk)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 kg pork belly, skin on; 1 1/2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine; 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder; 1 tsp white pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tbsp white vinegar; 200 g rock salt

Master the secret to the ultimate Chinese Crispy Pork Belly, featuring an incredibly crunchy, bubbly crackling and melt-in-your-mouth meat. This traditional Cantonese roast is surprisingly simple to prepare at home with just a few key techniques and a bit of patience.

Servings8 Portions

Prep Time20 Mins

Cook Time90 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

pork belly, skin on
1 kg
Chinese cooking wine
0.5 tbsp
Chinese five-spice powder
1 tsp
white pepper
1 tsp
salt
0.5 tsp
white vinegar
1 tbsp
rock salt
200 g

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the skin by using a sharp metal skewer, ice pick, or dedicated pork pricking tool to create hundreds of tiny holes across the surface. Aim to pierce only the skin and the top layer of fat; avoid piercing the meat itself, as this prevents juices from rising and softening the crackling.

Flip the pork belly over so the meat side is facing up. Rub the flesh evenly with Chinese cooking wine, then sprinkle and rub in the five-spice powder, white pepper, and salt. Be careful to keep the spices off the skin to ensure it stays dry and white.

Place the pork belly skin-side up in a container. Thoroughly pat the skin dry with paper towels. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 12 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow the skin to fully dehydrate.

When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the pork on a large sheet of aluminum foil and fold the edges up snugly around the sides of the meat, creating a 1.5cm (2/5 inch) rim above the skin to act as a container for the salt.

Transfer the wrapped pork to a baking tray and pat the skin dry one last time. Lightly brush the skin with white vinegar, then spread an even layer of rock salt over the entire surface of the skin.