Description
The soul food representing Shanghai's local cuisine (Ben Bang Cai). Unlike Dong Po Rou which is steamed, or Sichuan pork which is spiced, this uses ZERO spices like star anise. Pork belly is reduced to a glowing red-black finish using purely massive amounts of soy sauce and rock sugar. The ultimate sweet-savory rice thief.
Restaurants serving Ben Bang Hong Shao Rou (Shanghai Braised Pork Belly)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Skin-on pork belly
- Soy sauce
- Dark soy(Lao Chou)
- Rock sugar(massive)
- Cooking wine
- Scallion
- Ginger
- (Boiled eggs or tofu skin knots optional)
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- (Meat Prep) Cut skin-on pork belly into 3cm cubes. Blanch to purge scum.
- Heat oil in a wok, fry the pork until browned, rendering out the excess fat (this prevents greasiness). Add scallion and ginger.
- (Color & Braise) Add cooking wine, soy sauce, and 'Lao Chou' (dark soy) to dye it red-black.
- [Absolute Shanghai Rule]: ZERO spices like star anise or cinnamon are allowed. It fights purely with pork umami and caramelized soy.
- Flood with hot water, cover, and simmer on low for
- hour.
- (Shou Zhi: Reducing the Sauce) Once the meat is tender, open the lid and dump in 'massive amounts of rock sugar'.
- Blast on high heat, tossing violently to evaporate all moisture (Shou Zhi).
- The sugar caramelizes into a thick syrup. When the meat achieves a 'glowing pitch-black shine', it's done. Braising hard-boiled eggs or tied tofu skin knots alongside is standard.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Intense caramel-like depth and sweetness from reduced rock sugar and soy、キャラメルのような強烈なコクと甘み
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Use JP pork block, braise with sugar and soy, omitting star anise)
Pairing
White Rice (Bowl mandatory) / Light vegetable stir-fry
Trivia
[Trivia] The absolute embodiment of Shanghai's culinary essence 'Nong You Chi Jiang' (Heavy oil, dark red-black color, rich and sweet). 'Ben Bang' means 'local'. It is the mother's home-cooking that fills Shanghai locals with the greatest sense of hometown pride.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] While pitch-black, the flavor is an intense sweet-savory profile closely resembling Japanese Sukiyaki or Mitarashi Dango syrup. The lean meat is crumbly, the fat melts, and the skin is sticky. Pouring it all, sauce included, over piping hot white rice is the bliss etched into the DNA of Shanghai locals.
Allergen
Pork, Soybeans, Wheat (Soy sauce)