Korean Bossam (Boiled Pork Belly with Lettuce Wraps)

Name: Korean Bossam (Boiled Pork Belly with Lettuce Wraps)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1.2 kg Skin-on pork belly; 2.5 l Water; 200 g Large onion, halved; 50 g Garlic, whole head; 50 g Fresh ginger, sliced; 60 g Green onions, cut into large pieces; 30 g Doenjang (Korean soybean paste); 5 g Instant coffee (optional); 10 g Whole black peppercorns; 4 leaves Bay leaves; 100 ml Soju or rice wine; 300 g Mixed lettuce leaves (e.g., red leaf, green leaf); 100 g Ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce); 200 g Kimchi; 50 g Fresh garlic, thinly sliced; 30 g Green chili, thinly sliced (optional)

Difficulty

easy

Time

Price Category

average

Calories

High

Bossam is a classic Korean dish featuring tender, boiled pork belly, typically enjoyed wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves with spicy ssamjang and kimchi. This dish is a perfect choice if you're craving something special yet surprisingly simple to prepare. The long cooking time ensures the meat becomes incredibly soft and flavorful, while fresh vegetables provide a perfect balance. Prepare this authentic Korean meal at home and savor its rich flavors!

Steps

Prepare the Pork

Thoroughly wash the pork belly. In a large pot, place the pork belly, whole onion, garlic, ginger, green onions, doenjang, instant coffee (if using), black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Pour enough water to cover the meat, then add the soju or rice wine.

Boil the Pork

Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer the pork belly, covered, for 90-120 minutes, or until it is very tender. The meat is done when it can be easily pierced with a fork. Check the water level occasionally during cooking and add hot water if necessary.

Slice and Serve

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. Then, slice it into approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inch) thick pieces. Serve immediately with fresh lettuce leaves, ssamjang, kimchi, thinly sliced fresh garlic, and green chili. Everyone can wrap the pork in lettuce leaves with their favorite toppings.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 300g
Calories	350 kcal	1050 kcal
Protein	15g	45g
Fat	30g	90g
Carbohydrate	5g	15g
Fiber	1g	3g
Sugar	1g	3g

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pork

boiled

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Korean Bossam (Boiled Pork Belly with Lettuce Wraps)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Prepare the Pork

Boil the Pork

Slice and Serve

Extra Tips

► For boiling the pork belly, you can add a little instant coffee or a tea bag to give the meat a deeper color and richer flavor.

► Alongside ssamjang, you can offer other Korean sauces like gochujang or gochugaru if you prefer even bolder flavors.

► Leftover boiled pork belly is excellent for other dishes, such as fried rice or noodles.

Nutrition