Shōgayaki (Japanese Ginger Pork Belly)

A classic Japanese home-style dish made with thinly sliced pork belly, sautéed onions, and a savory ginger–soy glaze. Served with steamed rice and shredded cabbage, this teishoku-style meal balances richness, freshness, and comfort in every bite.

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

Main

• 250 g thin-sliced pork belly (buta bara usugiri)

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 1 Tbsp neutral oil (reduce if pork is very fatty)

Sauce

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

• 2 Tbsp mirin

• 1 Tbsp sake

• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger (with juice)

To Serve

• Steamed white rice (about 1 cup per serving)

• Finely shredded cabbage (about 1 cup per serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce – In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and grated ginger.

2. Cook the onion – Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden.

3. Cook the pork – Add pork belly slices in an even layer. Stir-fry until almost cooked through.

4. Glaze with sauce – Pour the prepared sauce into the pan. Let it bubble and reduce slightly, coating the pork and onions.

5. Serve – Plate with shredded cabbage and a bowl of steamed rice. Enjoy immediately while hot.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving with Rice & Cabbage)

• Calories: 970 kcal

• Protein: 17.6 g

• Fat: 73.8 g

• Carbohydrates: 54.0 g

• Sodium: 950 mg

Why It Works

• Pork belly’s richness is perfectly cut by the sharp, refreshing bite of fresh ginger.

• Mirin and onions add natural sweetness, balancing the savory soy and sake without added sugar.

• Cabbage and rice make this a complete teishoku meal, offering freshness, texture, and balance to the bold ginger-soy glaze.

Shōgayaki (Japanese Ginger Pork Belly) (Indulgence)