Pork Belly Bao Buns

Ingredients

• Cilantro (a handful, chopped)
• Pickled vegetables (1 cup)
• Bao buns (12 pieces)
• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
• Ginger (2 tablespoons, freshly grated)
• Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
• Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
• Hoisin sauce (1/2 cup)
• Soy sauce (1/4 cup)
• Pork belly (2 lbs)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until well mixed.
3. Place the pork belly in a baking dish. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork belly, ensuring every inch is well coated.
4. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and roast in the oven for 2.5 hours. The pork belly should be tender and easily pull apart when it's done.
5. Remove the pork belly from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Once cooled, shred the pork belly into bite-sized pieces.
6. In a frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the shredded pork belly and sauté for a few minutes until the edges are crispy.
7. Steam the bao buns according to the package instructions.
8. To assemble the bao buns, open each bun and add a spoonful of the crispy shredded pork belly. Top with pickled vegetables and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro.
9. Serve the pork belly bao buns while they're warm. Enjoy the burst of flavors with each bite!