Stewed pork belly with glass noodles is the essence of Northeastern Chinese cuisine. It is one of the region’s four most popular stews. Due to the vast area and large population of Northeastern China, every family has its own recipe, based on individual tastes and preferences.
The recipe I am sharing with you is one that has been passed down for many generations in my family. I have been eating it since as early as I can remember. It’s something I grew up with, and it’s part of who I am.
It also has become my 2-year-old daughter’s favorite. She doesn’t usually eat meat, but when it comes to this stew, she just can’t get enough. “Rou rou mian mian!”—“Meat and noodles!”—she demands, pointing emphatically at the dish.
According to the legend, the origin of stewed pork belly with glass noodles is tied to the nomadic hunting life of the Manchu people of Manchuria and their Jurchen ancestors. They enjoyed eating big pieces of meat and made glass noodles out of potatoes. To endure the cold, they stewed the meat and the noodles together, and the dish gradually became a local signature. Today, Manchus form China’s fourth-largest ethnic minority, with many of them living in the Northeast.
To make their classic dish, pieces of pork belly are caramelized in a sugar syrup and stewed until so soft that they melt in your mouth. The noodles, added to the soup and cooked until al dente, soak up its rich flavors. This is what I call the ultimate comfort food.
https://m.theepochtimes.com/pork-belly-with-glass-noodles-comfort-food-from-northeast-china_2840052.html
