Tender eggplant wrapped in thinly-sliced pork belly and crisply pan-seared, then coated with a rich, sweet-and-savory glaze—this dish is absolutely addictive! Soaking the eggplant in salted water beforehand helps soften them quickly, helping them to blend perfectly with the pork.
The flavorful sauce deliciously envelops both the pork and eggplant, making this dish a perfect match for white rice. Add toppings like shiso leaves or toasted sesame seeds for a burst of aroma and color. It’s a satisfying and impressive main dish, despite using only a few simple ingredients and steps. Great for bento lunchbox or dinner.
10 minutes
coto
PROFILE
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 2
Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings
When scaling the recipe, the ratios of some ingredients may require slight adjustments. Adjust as necessary and season to taste.
- 7 oz thinly-sliced pork belly
- 2 Japanese eggplants
- A1 tbsp. soy sauce
- A1 tbsp. mirin
- A1 tbsp. sake (or dry white wine)
- A1/2 tbsp. sugar
- shiso leaves, thinly sliced (optional toppings)
- toasted sesame seeds (optional toppings)
INSTRUCTIONS
- 1
Trim off the stems of the eggplants and cut each into 4–6 long wedges. Soak them in a saltwater solution (1 cup water + 1 tsp. salt) for a few minutes to remove any bitterness and help them soften. Using a plastic bag helps keep them fully submerged.
- 2
Pat the eggplant wedges dry with a paper towel. Wrap each piece with a slice of pork belly and arrange them in a cold skillet.Turn on the burner to medium heat and cook for 3–4 minutes.
- 3
While cooking, mix the sauce ingredients A (soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar). Once the bottom side of the pork is browned, flip the eggplant wraps over, add the sauce to the skillet, cover, and steam for 4 minutes.
- 4
Remove the lid and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pork.
- 5
Serve hot, topped with shiso and/or sesame seeds if desired.
RecipeID
40
MY RATING
Sign up or log in for free to submit your reviews!
GET STARTEDREVIEWS
Be the first to review!
I’m a mom of one and a big food lover. I share easy-to-follow, foolproof recipes packed with nutrition, using only familiar ingredients and common seasonings. I also like to include handy tips that help save time in the kitchen. From quick microwave recipes to no-knife, no-stove dishes, I focus on meals that can be made quickly while still providing plenty of nutrition for my family. I believe in the happiness that comes from enjoying delicious food and the joy of seeing loved ones eat with a smile. My goal is to bring love-filled home cooking to tables where smiles overflow. I also record my recipes so that, one day, when my child grows up, they can always recreate the taste of their mother’s cooking.