The love for pork belly runs through my family. Steamed, braised, roasted, fried. You name it, we'll eat it. Siew Yoke from Malaysia, Dong Po Rou from China, Moo Grob from Thailand- just a fraction of my favourite pork belly dishes.
A few year back (I'm talking way back!), I had a pork belly meal that stuck particularly well in my memory. During one of my trips to China, my family and I were dining in a restaurant with another Malaysian family and naturally, one of the dishes was Braised Pork Belly. Happily, we tucked into the dish. I was enjoying my chewy, salty, sweet, melt-in-your mouth belly when I overheard the mother (from the other family) telling her two kids, "Yuck, remember to peel off the layer of fat. Don't eat the fat!" For the rest of the dinner, we ate our pork bellies gleefully while watching the other family strip their meat bare. All I could think was 'Oh god, those kids are going to have a childhood without pork bellies.' I can only hope that they've come to their senses by now.
I've heard stories and tales about EARL canteen's pork belly sandwich but never got a chance to witness it myself. Until recently...
Pork Belly Sandwich
Crisp skin free-range pork belly, apple, cabbage & fennel coleslaw, wilted silverbeet on a baguette
A killer piece of pork belly with clean and simple veggies to cut through the saltiness from the meat. The skin was the crispiest it could get- there was a crunch and crackle with every mouthful. I'm not the biggest fan of baguettes so, I would have preferred a different type of bread but besides that, it was faultless.
One pork belly picture is never enough.
Herbed Chicken Salad
Herbed chicken, lentils, spinach, roasted pumpkin and yogurt with a slice of bread
Lentils were plentiful and the pumpkins were roasted till soft and creamy. Though, I did wish that there was more yogurt because it went really nicely with the lentils and chicken!
If you need a quick lunch, pop by EARL Canteen for a quick takeaway! Their sandwiches range from chicken & crisp to gorgonzola pumpkin so, I'm pretty sure that you'll find something that will tickle your tastebuds.
whoops, not sure if my last comment went through but was just kowtowing your amazing photo(s) of that pork belly!
ReplyDelete@Ames
ReplyDeletenope it didn't get through :( boo HAHA but nice word- KOWTOW! thanks!
that is so delicious!
ReplyDeleteone pork belly picture isn't enough, but neither are two! i'm loving the look of that thick crackling, that pale porky flesh and the barely-discernible-but-doubtlessly-luscious layer of fat. there's nothing like this sandwich in KL, i think :D
ReplyDelete@love2dine
ReplyDeletecouldn't agree more! :D
@Sean
HAHA oooooh wouldn't be nice if we have a good Siew Yoke sandwich? I think that would work!
I've heard so much about this pork belly sandwich, to such acclaim that it *almost* makes me want it. :P
ReplyDelete@Hannah
ReplyDeleteCan you hear it calling you?? hannnahhhhhhhhh....
oh I think I said something like, I've been here, loved the pork belly sandwich but my photo didn't turn out that good :P
ReplyDeleteThat's always the biggest complaint with their baguettes.. and apparently you can opt for softer breads, which might make this sandwich so much better :P
ReplyDelete@Ames
ReplyDeletehehe I'm still thinking about the pork belly! :P
@msihua
oooh! it would be so much better with a softer bread! They should let us choose the type of bread we want! :D
OOO I love pork belly but have not tried a pork belly sandwich before. This give me an idea to make this at home.
ReplyDelete@Quay Po Cooks
ReplyDeleteyay! do make some! and make extra to have them for dinner too :P
I just enjoyed some pork today as a matter of fact! From Whole Foods, so glorious :) Looking quite delish as usual Vien!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post & great photos.
ReplyDeleteJust so you and your readers know, we are happy to substitute the baguette for our softer ciabatta at anytime. Please just ask at ordering.
Glad you enjoyed it
Jackie -EARL Canteen
@Tessa
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing so much about Whole Foods' hot food bar! If I ever get the chance.... I'll definitely get something there! :D
@Jackie
hi Jackie! Thanks for stopping by :D That would be fantastic!!
woo hoo..
ReplyDeleteanother pork lover ....
somemore with the extra fats...
added you in my blog list..
nice.....
@Simple Person
ReplyDeletehehehe pork lovers unite!!!!! :D
i belong to the peel-off-the-fatty-bombom group :/
ReplyDeletei don't really likey the sticky gluey texture. but my dad and bro love it so muchy and it irritates mami and i. haha
Great photos!! Last time I went I wasn't a blogger yet lol so i didn't take any amazing photos like you :P and i think i ordered the wrong thing...because my baguettes weren't that great sigh lol but i should go back and try again hehe
ReplyDelete@Constance Ant
ReplyDelete:D
@Daisy
you should! :P I actually wanted to give the chicken and crisp a try! oh well, I'll save it for another day!!
Yum! I love EARL! That Pork Belly is a Melbourne institution by now I think! Really enjoying exploring your blog too btw!
ReplyDelete