Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo)
By Sho @ Hungry for Thai
on
Jan 15th 2025 
If you visit a market to buy ready-made food, *Pa-Lo* is one dish you’ll find at nearly every stall. Its flavor is primarily sweet, with the fragrant aroma of herbs. When paired with steaming hot rice, it makes for a truly satisfying and comforting meal.
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Table of Contents
What you'll need
- Eggs: Boiled, peeled eggs are added to the stew for a rich flavor and soft texture.
- Coriander Roots: Adds a deep, aromatic base flavor. Clean thoroughly before use.
- Garlics: Crushed or finely chopped to enhance the fragrance of the dish.
- White Peppercorns: Ground or lightly crushed to provide a subtle spiciness.
- Oil: Used for frying the spices and ingredients at the beginning. Vegetable oil is commonly used.
- Palm Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight caramelized aroma. Can be substituted with brown sugar if unavailable.
- Pork Belly: Cut into bite-sized pieces; its fat and meat balance perfectly in the stew.
- Light Soy Sauce: Provides a salty and umami flavor.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Adds a rich, deep color to the dish along with a slightly sweet and less salty flavor compared to light soy sauce.
- Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Adds a warm, sweet aroma to the dish.
- Star Anise: Infuses a sweet, licorice-like fragrance that defines the dish’s unique flavor.
- Water: Used as the base liquid for simmering the ingredients.
- Tofu: Cut into cubes and added to absorb the flavorful broth.
- Coriander Leaves: Used as a garnish for added freshness and aroma before serving.
This dish is a Chinese-inspired classic, combining tender pork belly and boiled eggs in a sweet, aromatic brown sauce. It is flavored with cinnamon, star anise, and other herbs, creating a warm and comforting taste. Perfect when served with steamed rice, it’s a favorite for both kids and adults, offering a delicious blend of sweetness and savory goodness.
Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo)
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
50 minutes
Serves
3
Ingredients
Steps
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Cooking Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo) :
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Bring water to a boil and add the eggs. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove the eggs and place them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Peel the shells and set aside.
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Cut the pork belly into one-inch thick square pieces.
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Pound the coriander roots, garlic, and white pepper together.
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Sauté this mixture in rice bran oil until fragrant. Add the palm sugar and stir until it melts into a caramel.
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Add cinnamon sticks and star anise to the pan. Stir until the spices release their aroma.
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Add the pork belly to the pan and stir-fry briefly until it firms up. Season with light soy sauce, salt and dark soy sauce, mixing well.
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Pour in clean water and bring it to a boil. Add the firm tofu and boiled eggs. (While simmering, if foam rises to the surface, skim it off. If the water level reduces, you can add more as needed.)
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Once the mixture comes to a boil again, reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 40 minutes until the pork is tender and the dish develops a beautiful color.
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Turn off the heat, garnish with coriander, and serve.
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Nutritional info
% of daily valueCalorie Breakdown
Protein
207 cal
Fat
1481 cal
Carbs
294 cal
Pound the garlic, coriander roots, and pepper until they form a smooth, uniform paste. If not finely ground, they may float to the surface while simmering.
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