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Chinese Tau Yew Bak
Since my second sister came into town, we have been cooking up a storm. (Previously, we have made pineapple fried rice and salted fish bones curry.)
We have also been reminiscing our fond memories of our late parents—sharing the stories of our times with them and those days when we were growing up. Naturally, we talked about the delicious foods that my late mother used to cook for our family and the many dishes that she prepared which we missed dearly although the tastes still linger on our taste buds.
As my second sister is many years older than me, she had the opportunity to learn more about cooking from my late mother. We grew up in a big and poor family, so since she was 12 years old, she was tasked with housework and kitchen chores, including cooking for the whole family. Because of that, she has acquired and inherited most of our family recipes.
Tender Braised Pork Belly
A couple of days ago, we talked about making my mother’s braised pork belly in soy sauce, or tau yew bak (in Hokkien)—one of the many family recipes that my mother excelled in.
Her tau yew bak was legendary; the pork belly was always tender, juicy, and they are steeped in an intensely flavorful soy sauce. The taste was complex, sophisticated, addictive, and utterly delectable. There were always extras such as hard-boiled eggs, tofu, and sometimes, potatoes and mushrooms.
When my parents came to visit us in San Francisco 10 years ago in 2000, I managed to learn my mother’s tau yew bak recipe. I volunteered to make the dish, following the instructions that she had briefed me during her stay.
I added some cracked whole white peppercorn (her secret ingredient!) and slowly braised the pork belly over low heat. The result was rather satisfactory and adequate, in fact, it was delicious but it is never going to be as good as my mother’s version. My sister said that it lacked the taste of “mother,” which, unfortunately, something I could never ever recreate.
Here is my family recipe of braised pork belly in soy sauce or tau yew bak. It’s a savory dish that goes extremely well with steamed white rice, esspecially with a side of sambal belacan. I hope you like the recipe and get to try out one of the many great tastes of my childhood.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 611 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Braised Pork Belly in Soy Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pork belly, cut into small pieces
- 4 cups water
- 1 head garlic (lightly pounded with the back of a cleaver)
- 1 tablespoon white peppercorn (smashed and cracked)
- 5 hard-boiled eggs
- 8 oz. fried tofu/bean curd
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 1-2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or until it reaches your desired color)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat up a pot or preferably a big clay pot with 4 cups of water. Bring it to boil and then add in the garlic, pork belly, and cracked peppercorns.
- Bring the pork belly to boil before adding the hard-boiled eggs, fried tofu, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and dark soy sauce.
- Lower the heat to medium and braise the pork for 30 minutes or so until the pork belly is is cooked through and become tender. Add salt to taste. Continue to simmer on the lowest heat for another 15-20 minutes. Dish out and serve hot with steamed white rice.
Video
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Taste is spot on. I put in sauces soya and kicap first with meat, garlic and peppercorns. Let it caramelised a little with meat oil. Only added water, dark soya, tofu and eggs. It has a smoky aroma to it.
Michelle, yes, that’s correct.
I am going to try cooking this tomorrow.I shall get back and share the results.TY
Awesome let me know.
As a beginner in cooking, I really love how simple this recipe is and it reciprocates the taste that I can find from mom’s. Great, easy, tasty! Thanks alot for sharing!
Thanks for trying this recipe, yes it’s very homey!
You made me hungry right now. Great recipe! I would like to try it out!
Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Funny, I used to think this blog was run by an old auntie until today.
Hi Winston, lol. Thanks for trying my recipes.
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I have been wondering on how to make it for years now and always ended up buying from outside whenever I am unable to get mum to cook for me. My mum lives very far away. The taste it similar . LOVE IT!
Awesome, glad you are able to recreate this recipe.
mine version is without white pepper, but i put in star anise, clove, and cinnamon instead.
crush smoked garlic, and put together with all the herb above, add in dark soya sauce, light soya sauce, salt and marinate for 15 minute in a pot. then put the pot on stove and stir it to reduce the water, in order to let the flavour to be absorbed into the meat. when the liquid are almost dried up, add water just enough to cover it. boil it, and then simmer until tender.
Yummy.
Hi, if I am using pork shoulder, will there be any difference in the cooking time?
I don’t eat pork. Is there a different type of meat I can use and how
Thanks for a great site
In the instructions there is no mention of whether to cover the pot while braising. I am planning to cover it for the initial cook and then uncover for the second braise. Correct?
Thanks in advance
Yes cover it to braise. :)