Ingredients
Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.
Serves 4
Base
Braise
Eggs
Equipment
Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; saucepan with lid; sieve; heatproof spoon; spatula.
Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.
Steps
Caramel · About 7 min
- Cook sugar and water from 700 g pork belly, cubed, 30 g sugar, 20 ml water until amber. Carefully add pork and turn to coat.
Check: Look for this result: amber.
Braise · About 70 min
- Add 600 ml coconut water, 40 ml fish sauce, 20 g shallots, chopped, 15 g garlic, chopped; cover and simmer gently 70 minutes.
Finish · About 25 min
- Add 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and simmer 20–25 minutes until pork is fork-tender, adding hot water if needed.
Check: Look for this result: pork is fork-tender, adding hot water if needed.
Tips
- Add cooked eggs late so they do not become rubbery.
- Judge Thit Kho Trung by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Thit Kho Trung takes to cook.
Substitutions
- Use pork shoulder for a less rich braise.
Storage
- Get perishable Thit Kho Trung into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Thit Kho Trung within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
- Bring cooked Thit Kho Trung to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Thit Kho Trung is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.
- If Thit Kho Trung includes a thick sauce or soup, loosen it with a little water during gentle reheating. Any crisp coating on Thit Kho Trung becomes softer in storage.
Make ahead
- Prepare the measured ingredients for Thit Kho Trung one day ahead. For Thit Kho Trung, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Thit Kho Trung on the day of serving.
FAQ
What matters most when making Thit Kho Trung?
Add cooked eggs late so they do not become rubbery.
What can I substitute in Thit Kho Trung?
Use pork shoulder for a less rich braise.
Can I prepare Thit Kho Trung ahead?
Prepare the measured ingredients for Thit Kho Trung one day ahead. For Thit Kho Trung, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Thit Kho Trung on the day of serving.
Food safety references
FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating
