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Vietnamese Crispy Pork Belly (Thịt Heo Quay)

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Ingredients

For the pork

  • 2.5 lb pork belly
  • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon 5-spice powder

For the dressing

  • ⅓ cup fish sauce
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 thai peppers sliced
  • ½ head garlic minced
  • ½ lime juiced

To serve

  • Banh Hoi Vietnamese Woven Vermicelli
  • Vietnamese Herbs
  • Lettuce
  • Scallion Oil
  • Fried Shallots

Instructions

  • Prep your pork belly the day before by first making slits on the meat side (until you reach the skin). Pat dry the skin side with a paper towel - we want the skin to be as dry as possible.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and 5-spice powder. Gently marinate the meat side of the pork belly - do not get the spice mixture on the skin side.
  • Wrap your pork belly with aluminum foil by only covering the meat side. Leave the skin side exposed. Using a knife, poke holes on the skin side - this will help the skin be crispy when we cook it. The more holes, the better.
  • Leave the pork belly marinating in the fridge overnight with skin exposed.
  • The next day, place the marinated pork belly in the air fryer. Gently brush vinegar and sprinkle salt on the skin. Start the air fryer at 320 F for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, increase the temperature to 355 F for 25 minutes. Using a clean paper towel, dab the skin every 5 minutes to ensure crispiness.
  • Cook the Banh Hoi according to package instructions or I like to soak mine in hot water for 5 minutes, drain, and microwave for 1 minute. Roll them and top with scallion oil and fried shallots.
  • To make the dressing/dipping sauce, boil ⅓ cup of water. In a mixing bowl, add the ⅓ cup sugar. Then pour the boiling water to help dissolve the sugar. Then add ⅓ cup fish sauce, ⅔ cup cold water, 6 thai peppers minced, ½ lime juiced, and ½ head garlic minced. Set aside until ready to serve.
  • Serve with side of fresh vegetables.