Pork Meat Sauce / Minced Meat

Pork Meat Sauce or Minced Meat is a comforting, humble dish consisting of very fatty ground pork or chopped fatty pork belly resting over jasmine rice. Salty, savory pork drippings seep into the rice, flavoring every bite. The meat sauce is never eaten on its own, often paired with pickled mustard greens (but variations can feature pickled radishes or kimchi), and always served over rice or your preferred substitute.

   

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 30 minutes – Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 tbsp. garlic, minced
• 2 scallions, diced, white and green parts separated
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1/2 lb. ground pork or finely chopped pork belly
• Shaoxing wine (optional)
• 2 Shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• 1 star anise
• 1 tsp rock sugar or brown sugar
• 1/8 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder
• 1/8 tsp white pepper
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp five spiced powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup water + 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2.5 tsp soy sauce
• 3/4 tsp dark soy sauce

Instructions

Step 1

Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the garlic, white parts of the green onions, and shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the aromatics sizzle and the shallots turn translucent.  

Step 2: Prepare the pork

If defatting the pork: In a separate pan, cook the pork over high heat, breaking it up with a spatula. Add a splash of Shaoxing wine (optional). Discard any excess fat or liquid that renders out, then transfer the cooked pork to the large pot.

 

If not defatting the pork: Cook the pork directly in the large pot, breaking it up with a spatula.  

Step 3

Stir in the sliced Shiitake mushrooms, star anise, rock sugar, Sichuan peppercorn powder, white pepper, black pepper, five spiced powder, and cinnamon.  

Step 4

Pour water and chicken stock into the pot, along with soy sauce and dark soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the pork is tender, about 15 minutes. Tip: Check occasionally to ensure the liquid has not dried out. Add more chicken stock if needed to maintain a simmer. 

Step 5

Fish our the star anise before serving. Ladle the meat sauce over rice, noodles, vegetable noodles, or your preferred rice substitutes; top it with pickled mustard greens, pickled radish, kimchi, or any other pickled vegetable. For an extra treat, add a hard-boiled egg or soy sauce egg on the side.

Notes

• Shallots: Store-bought fried shallots can be used as a substitute.
• Minced Meat: Traditionally, this dish uses hand-chopped fatty pork belly or butcher-ground pork. For a leaner alternative, try ground turkey or another ground meat of your choice.