Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Serves: 3

Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo)

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.

Ingredients

Steps

  • Cooking Egg and Pork in Sweet Brown Sauce (Pa-Lo) :

    1. 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.

      Peel the boiled eggs and set them aside for the next step.

    2. Cut the pork belly into one-inch thick square pieces.

      Cut the pork belly

    3. Pound the coriander roots, garlic, and white pepper together.

      Pound the coriander rootsPound the garlicsPound the white pepperPound them wellPounded 3 herbs

    4. Sauté this mixture in rice bran oil until fragrant. Add the palm sugar and stir until it melts into a caramel.

      Add the oilAdd pounded 3 herbsSauté this mixture until fragrantAdd the palm sugar

    5. Add cinnamon sticks and star anise to the pan. Stir until the spices release their aroma.

      Add cinnamon sticks Add star anise

    6. 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.

      Add the pork bellySeason with light soy sauceSeason with saltSeason with dark soy sauce

    7. 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.)

      Add waterSkim the foam offAdd tofuAdd boiled eggs

    8. 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.

      Simmer for 40 minutes

    9. Turn off the heat, garnish with coriander, and serve.

      Turn off the heat, garnish with corianderServing

Recipe Notes

Tips

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.