✨ This Instant Pot Chashu Pork Was Worth It✨
I had a huge phase of eating ramen and I had taught myself to make the famous chashu pork to upgrade my at home ramen experience! Here’s how I did it!
Ingredients:
• 1 lb pork belly, skin removed
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup mirin
• ½ cup sake
• ¼ cup granulated sugar or brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
Directions:
- Make the braising liquid: Add soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, water, garlic, ginger, and green onions to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Pressure cook: Return pork to the pot, placing it in the liquid. Close lid, set to Manual/Pressure Cook on high for 45 minutes. Natural release: Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Cool & slice: Remove pork and let cool slightly. Slice into rounds. If desired, reduce the braising liquid on Sauté for 5–10 minutes to make a glaze or dipping sauce.
Making chashu pork at home using an Instant Pot has been a game changer for my ramen nights! The pressure cooker really locks in all those traditional Japanese flavors from soy sauce, mirin, and sake, which gives the pork belly a rich, savory depth that's hard to beat. One thing I've learned is rolling the pork belly tightly before cooking helps it hold its shape and slice beautifully, creating those perfect rounds that melt in your mouth. I also like to marinate the pork in the sauce a few hours before cooking to boost flavor. After pressure cooking, reducing the leftover braising liquid on sauté is essential—it thickens into a sweet, sticky glaze that is simply irresistible drizzled over the pork or used as a dipping sauce. Adding freshly chopped green onions and a soft-boiled egg on top completes the ramen bowl. For those watching sodium intake, I opt for low-sodium soy sauce varieties or reduce the amount slightly without compromising flavor. It’s also worth noting that using rice vinegar and authentic Japanese ingredients, like the Maru Genuine Brew rice vinegar mentioned on the packaging in some recipes, adds an authentic tang and balances the richness of the pork. Overall, this Instant Pot chashu pork recipe makes it easy to enjoy restaurant-style ramen at home without the long braising times. It’s become a favorite crowd-pleaser whenever friends visit, and adjusting the seasoning to taste means anyone can create a personalized bowl of this delicious comfort food.