Steamed Pork Belly with Mustard Greens (Chun Chai) - Authentic Recipe

Name: Steamed Pork Belly with Mustard Greens
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: Pork belly:; Mustard greens (Chun Chai):; Other ingredients:

Updated at: 09/05/2025

Steamed Pork Belly with Mustard Greens, or Chun Chai (蕹菜扣肉), is a classic Cantonese dish renowned for its tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and the slightly bitter, earthy bite of the mustard greens. This seemingly simple dish boasts a complex interplay of flavors, achieved through meticulous preparation and careful steaming. The rich, savory pork belly contrasts beautifully with the slightly pungent greens, creating a harmonious balance that will tantalize your taste buds. The succulent pork, infused with aromatic spices, is a testament to the magic of slow cooking, resulting in a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

This recipe offers a detailed guide to recreating this authentic Cantonese masterpiece in your own kitchen, even for those with limited culinary experience. From perfectly scoring the pork belly to achieving the ideal balance of seasonings, we'll walk you through each step of the process to ensure you achieve restaurant-quality results at home. Ready to embark on this culinary journey? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions!

Tools Needed

Pot
Steamer

Ingredients

Pork belly
Mustard greens (Chun Chai)
Other ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare Ingredients and Pork Belly

Initial preparation and ingredient gathering (likely)
Preparation of Pork Belly and Mustard Greens (likely)

Initial preparation and ingredient gathering (likely) — Prepare Ingredients and Pork Belly

Preparation of Pork Belly and Mustard Greens (likely) — Prepare Ingredients and Pork Belly

Step 2. Steam the Pork Belly and Mustard Greens

Adding ingredients to the pot and preparing for steaming (likely)
Steaming process begins
Adjusting seasonings or ingredients during steaming (likely)
More steaming and cooking (likely)

Adding ingredients to the pot and preparing for steaming (likely) — Steam the Pork Belly and Mustard Greens

Steaming process begins — Steam the Pork Belly and Mustard Greens

Step 3. Check Doneness and Seasoning

Checking the doneness of the dish (likely)
Final adjustments and taste check (likely)

Checking the doneness of the dish (likely) — Check Doneness and Seasoning

Final adjustments and taste check (likely) — Check Doneness and Seasoning

Step 4. Serve the Chun Chai

Dish is ready. (likely)

Dish is ready. (likely) — Serve the Chun Chai

Tips

This step might involve specific techniques or ingredient proportions not explicitly mentioned in the transcript.
Additional instructions or refinements might be shown visually in the video.
Additional preparation or finishing steps are shown (likely)
Final presentation and serving suggestions (likely)
Family-style serving (likely)
Further instructions or tips (likely)
Concluding remarks or additional information (likely)

Nutrition

FAQs

1. Can I substitute the mustard greens with another vegetable?

While mustard greens are traditional, you can experiment with other leafy greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli. The flavor profile will change, but it will still be delicious.

2. How can I tell if the pork belly is cooked through?

The pork belly should be incredibly tender and easily pierced with a fork. The fat should be translucent and rendered, and the meat should be pale pink or white.

This Steamed Pork Belly with Mustard Greens recipe delivers an authentic Cantonese experience, showcasing the perfect balance of rich, savory pork and slightly bitter greens. We hope you enjoyed this culinary journey and that your Chun Chai turned out perfectly. Now, gather your family and friends, and savor this delicious masterpiece!