Today, I’d like to share a recipe for one of the most beloved Chinese home-cooked dishes—Braised Pork Belly with Potatoes. I hope this guide will help students living abroad recreate a taste of home and provide an opportunity for international friends to experience authentic Chinese cuisine from their own kitchens.

Ingredients & Preparation:

1. Pork Belly: The €2.99 pork belly from Aldi works perfectly. Cut it into small pieces, then boil in water.
2. Garlic: Finely chopped.
3. Ginger: Finely chopped.
4. Sugar: White sugar is ideal, but you can substitute honey, brown sugar, or rock sugar.
5. Potatoes: Cut into chunks; smaller pieces absorb flavors better.
6. Salt
7. Soy Sauce
8. Oyster Sauce

Cooking Steps Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. After about 30 seconds to a minute, add sugar, garlic, and ginger. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add more sugar. Stir until the sugar caramelizes into a golden-brown color.
3. Remove the blanched pork belly from the boiling water and add it into the pan. Stir-fry until each piece is evenly coated with caramelized sugar.
4. Add the potato chunks and mix well.
5. Season with salt, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, stirring to distribute evenly.
6. Pour in enough water to just cover the ingredients.
7. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer over medium heat.
8. Stir occasionally, then cover again and continue simmering.
9. Once the sauce has thickened and reduced, turn off the heat.
10. Serve with steamed rice, it’s absolutely delicious!

Where to Find Authentic Chinese Restaurants in Dublin

If you’re not in the mood to cook but still want to enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine, here are two highly recommended Chinese restaurants, particularly popular among Chinese students.

1. Lee Kee

Address: 100A Parnell St, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 TF70
Recommended Dishes:

• Foil-Wrapped Sea Bass
• Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Seafood (customizable ingredients)
• Stone Pot Fish
• Shredded Pork in Garlic Sauce

Tips:

• Card payments are accepted, but cash is preferred.
• The menu changes annually, offering new dishes worth trying.

2. Little Dumpling

Address: Drury Hall, 4 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 NH77, Ireland
Recommended Dishes:

• Stir-Fried Pork with Peppers (Nongjia Xiaochao Rou)
• Spicy Fried Chicken (Lazi Ji)
• Sichuan Blood Curd Hot Pot (Mao Xue Wang)
• Mapo Tofu
• Dumplings

Dining Tips:

1. Ordering Guide:

• Order one dish per person (e.g., two dishes for two people, three dishes for three people, etc.).
• If you order dishes instead of dumplings, don’t forget to order steamed rice as well.

2. How to Choose the Best Dishes:

• Observe what other tables are ordering—the most popular dishes are usually the restaurant’s specialties.
• Ask the staff for recommendations—their signature dishes rarely disappoint.

3. Food Waste & Takeaway Tips:

• If you can’t finish your meal, don’t waste food—opt for a takeaway.
• Prepare the variety of ingredients in the takeaway dish by yourself -> boil them in boiling water -> mix and heat them into the takeaway dish in your pan -> add little water and seasoning you like -> another delicious dish you will get.
• For seafood or fish dishes, do not forget to add vinegar while reheating. It will enhance the flavor and reduce any fishy smell.

Enjoy your Chinese meal!