Okinawa Braised Pork Belly (Rafute)

May 27, 2023May 27, 20230 7
Okinawa Braised Pork Belly (Rafute)
in Main

Prep

10 min

Cook

1 hr 15 min

Ready In

1 hr 25 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

500 g pork belly
1/2 cup awamori
2 cups dashi
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 inch ginger
1 piece bitter melon
1 teaspoon salt

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
4-6
Calories
517
Sugar
16g
Fat
38g
Okinawa Braised Pork Belly, also known as Rafute, is a popular dish from Okinawa island in Japan. This dish is a combination of Chinese flavors and Okinawan ingredients. Pork belly is simmered in a sauce made with awamori (Okinawan liquor), dashi (Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, and sugar until tender and flavorful. Bitter melon, a common vegetable in Okinawa, is added to the dish to enhance the flavor and balance the richness of the pork belly. This dish is often served at festive occasions and special events in Okinawa, and is a must-try for anyone visiting the island.

Instructions

1.Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and blanch in boiling water for a few minutes to remove excess fat and impurities.
2.In a pot, combine the awamori, dashi, sugar, soy sauce, and ginger and bring to a boil.
3.Add the pork belly and simmer for about 1 hour or until the pork is tender. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
4.Cut the bitter melon in half and remove the seeds and pith. Slice thinly and add to the pot.
5.Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the bitter melon is tender. Add salt to taste.

PROS

This dish is savory and sweet with a unique flavor that combines awamori, dashi, and soy sauce.
The pork belly is tender and melts in your mouth.
Bitter melon adds a refreshing and slightly bitter contrast to the rich pork flavor.

CONS

This dish is high in calories and fat due to the pork belly.
Bitter melon can be an acquired taste and may not be suitable for everyone.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Although this dish is not particularly healthy, bitter melon is known to have various health benefits. It is low in calories and high in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. It is also believed to have medicinal properties and has been used to treat various ailments such as diabetes and high cholesterol.

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