8 Best Korean Pork Belly Recipe

Korean pork belly, known as samgyeopsal, is one of Korea’s most iconic and beloved dishes.

Whether it’s sizzling on a grill at a bustling BBQ joint or slow-braised in a rich, savory sauce at home, pork belly is a cornerstone of Korean cuisine.

Its juicy layers of fat and meat, when cooked right, are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

The popularity of Korean pork belly recipes is soaring worldwide—thanks to the rise of K-dramas, K-pop, and global interest in Korean culture.

These recipes are not only flavorful and satisfying but also incredibly versatile. From smoky grilled styles to spicy stews and tangy stir-fries, there’s a pork belly dish for every craving.

In this article, we’re diving into the 8 best Korean pork belly recipes that are easy to follow, incredibly tasty, and perfect for your next culinary adventure.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, these recipes will help you bring the bold and comforting flavors of Korea to your table.

1. Classic Korean BBQ Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal)

This is the quintessential Korean pork belly experience—thick slices grilled to crispy perfection, served with dipping sauces and fresh lettuce wraps.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs pork belly slices (thick-cut)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame oil + salt (for dipping)
• Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)
• Fresh lettuce leaves
• Sliced garlic, green chili, and kimchi (optional sides)

Instructions:

1. Preheat a grill or grill pan on medium-high heat.
2. Season pork belly slices lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Grill the pork belly until crispy and golden on both sides.
4. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
5. Serve with dipping sauces, lettuce, garlic, and kimchi.
6. Wrap a piece in lettuce with toppings and enjoy!

2. Spicy Stir-Fried Pork Belly (Jeyuk Bokkeum)

A fiery, flavor-packed dish with tender pork belly tossed in a spicy gochujang-based sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, thinly sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp mirin or rice wine
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry pork belly until halfway cooked.
3. Add onion and cook until translucent.
4. Pour in the sauce, stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until pork is coated and caramelized.
5. Top with green onions and serve with rice.

3. Braised Pork Belly in Soy Sauce (Jangjorim-Style)

This soy-braised pork belly is deeply savory and tender, infused with sweet and salty flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, cut into chunks
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 small piece of ginger
• 2 boiled eggs (optional)
• 1 tbsp mirin

Instructions:

1. Boil pork belly in water for 10 minutes to remove impurities.
2. Drain and rinse the meat.
3. In a pot, combine soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, mirin, and 2 cups of water.
4. Add pork belly and bring to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook on low for 45 minutes.
6. Add boiled eggs during the last 10 minutes.
7. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

4. Pork Belly and Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)

A Korean comfort food classic—rich, spicy stew made with aged kimchi and fatty pork belly.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup aged kimchi, chopped
• 1/2 lb pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp gochugaru
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté pork belly until browned.
2. Add kimchi and onion, stir-fry for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in water, gochugaru, soy sauce, and bring to a boil.
4. Simmer for 20–30 minutes until rich and flavorful.
5. Drizzle with sesame oil and top with green onion.

5. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pork Belly (Maeun Yangnyeom Samgyeopsal)

Pork belly glazed in a sticky, sweet-and-spicy sauce that caramelizes beautifully in the pan.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a pan, sear pork belly until crispy.
3. Reduce heat, pour in sauce, and stir until pork is coated and sauce thickens.
4. Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.

6. Korean Pork Belly Bossam (Boiled and Wrapped)

A traditional dish of boiled pork belly served with wraps and fermented sauces—perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork belly slab
• 8 cups water
• 5 garlic cloves
• 1 small onion
• 2 tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
• Napa cabbage or lettuce
• Ssamjang and kimchi for serving

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring water to boil with garlic, onion, and doenjang.
2. Add pork belly and simmer for 1 hour until tender.
3. Remove and slice thinly.
4. Serve with wraps, ssamjang, and kimchi for DIY wraps.

7. Grilled Garlic Soy Pork Belly (Manul-Ganjang Samgyeopsal)

Garlic lovers rejoice! This soy-garlic marinated pork belly is grilled to irresistible perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly slices

Marinade:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine marinade ingredients and mix well.
2. Marinate pork belly for at least 30 minutes.
3. Grill on medium-high heat until browned and crispy.
4. Serve with rice or wrapped in lettuce.

8. Pork Belly Bibimbap with Gochujang Sauce

A hearty rice bowl topped with crispy pork belly, fresh vegetables, and spicy-sweet gochujang sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, chopped
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup spinach, blanched
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 fried egg
• Sesame seeds

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vinegar

Instructions:

1. Fry pork belly pieces until crispy.
2. Prepare vegetables and arrange them on rice with the pork.
3. Mix sauce ingredients and drizzle on top.
4. Add fried egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Mix before eating.

Final Thoughts: Bringing Korea to Your Kitchen 🇰🇷🍴

These 8 Korean pork belly recipes showcase the versatility, richness, and bold flavors of Korean cuisine.

Whether you’re craving something spicy, savory, sweet, or all of the above, there’s a dish here that can satisfy.