Imagine a dish that combines the rich, savory flavors of perfectly braised minced pork with the comforting warmth of steamed rice - welcome to the world of Taiwanese Rou Zao Fan! This mouthwatering recipe is more than just a meal; it's a culinary journey that brings the vibrant street food culture of Taiwan right to your kitchen. With its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors, this dish will instantly become your new go-to comfort food that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by finely dicing the onion and mincing the garlic. If using hard-boiled eggs, peel and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and break it down into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Cook the ground pork until it begins to brown and releases its fat, approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the pork. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour in the soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients and ensure the pork is evenly coated.
- Reduce heat to low-medium and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally. Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken, which should take about 15-20 minutes.
- If using hard-boiled eggs, gently add them to the braising sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking, turning them to coat with the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or sugar to balance the flavors.
- Serve the braised minced pork hot over steamed white rice. If using eggs, place them alongside or on top of the rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for added freshness, if desired.
Tips
- Choose the right meat: Use ground pork with a bit of fat content (around 20%) for the most flavorful and tender result.
- Patience is key: Allow the sauce to slowly simmer and reduce, which concentrates the flavors and creates a rich, glossy coating on the meat.
- Control your heat: Start with medium-high heat to brown the meat, then reduce to low-medium for simmering to prevent burning.
- Optional egg enhancement: Hard-boiled eggs absorb the braising sauce beautifully, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Fresh is best: Use freshly minced garlic and finely diced onions for the most aromatic base.
- Seasoning secrets: Taste and adjust the sauce at the end - the balance between soy sauce and sugar is crucial for authentic flavor.
- Serving suggestion: Serve over hot steamed rice and consider garnishing with fresh green onions or cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 95mg
