Buta Fire Don

Buta means pork in Japanese, and Don is short for Donburi, which means bowl. This buta don features grilled pork belly slices with a spicy sweet sauce on a bed of steaming rice. Super easy and ready in 15 minutes.

Inspired by the buta fire don from Onnki Donburi, this version of the buta fire don is just way too good, that it got me so emotional. The key step for this dish is to sear the cooked pork belly slices with a propane torch to enhance its flavour, just like how the chashu in ramen is usually seared before serving. You will not regret doing this extra step.

Mix it all up with the runny egg yolk and the spicy sweet sauce, you’ll just be craving for more after the first bite.

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp water (to thin it out)

Donburi:

• 200g pork belly (sliced into 1.5 inch pieces)
• Neutral oil (for cooking)
• Salt & Pepper
• 1 serving cooked rice
• Sauce
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp chopped green onion
• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together. Set aside.
2. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat with a little heated neutral oil (the fat from the pork belly will produce oils), add the pork belly slices in a single layer (you may have to fry it in batches). Season with salt and pepper. Flip the meat when the bottom has a nice brown colour. Remove and place on a wire rack. Using a propane torch, sear the pork belly slices to give it a nice flavour.

3. To Serve: Add steamed rice to a bowl, and drizzle on the sauce. Place the pork belly on top, while layering the slices. Top it with an egg yolk, chopped green onion, and toasted sesame seeds. Mix and enjoy!

If you do try out this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! I’d also love to see your creations so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!