Pork belly shiso yaki is a delightful dish that perfectly marries the rich, savory flavor of pork belly with the refreshing, slightly minty taste of shiso leaves. If you’re looking to recreate this exquisite Japanese yakitori at home, your first question might be: “Where can I buy pork belly?” Finding quality pork belly is crucial for this recipe, as it’s the star ingredient. Let’s explore the best places to source pork belly to ensure your shiso yaki turns out perfectly.
Pork belly, known for its succulent layers of fat and meat, is not as elusive as you might think. It’s becoming increasingly popular, meaning you can find it in various locations, from your local grocery store to specialty butcher shops and even online. Understanding where to look and what to look for will make your quest for the perfect pork belly a breeze.
Finding Pork Belly at Your Local Grocery Store
For convenience, your regular grocery store is often the first place to check. Many supermarkets now carry pork belly, especially those with a well-stocked meat section.
- Meat Counter: Head straight to the meat counter and ask your butcher. They can often cut a piece of pork belly to your desired size and thickness if it’s not already pre-packaged. Don’t hesitate to ask about the source and quality of their pork belly.
- Pre-packaged Meat Section: Look in the refrigerated meat section. Pork belly is often sold in slabs or sometimes pre-sliced, although pre-sliced might be less common for pork belly specifically compared to other meats. Check the labels carefully for “pork belly” or “fresh pork belly.”
When buying from a grocery store, pay attention to the appearance of the pork belly. Look for a good balance of lean meat and fat. Avoid pieces that are overly fatty or too lean. The color should be a healthy pink, and it should feel firm to the touch.
Exploring Butcher Shops for Premium Pork Belly
For a step up in quality and selection, butcher shops are an excellent option. Butchers are meat experts and can provide you with high-quality pork belly, often from specific farms or breeds.
- Knowledgeable Staff: Butchers can offer advice on the best cuts of pork belly for shiso yaki. They can also provide information about the pork’s origin, feeding, and processing, which can influence the flavor and texture.
- Custom Cuts: Need a specific size or thickness? Butchers can usually accommodate custom requests. For shiso yaki, a longer piece of pork belly is ideal for rolling.
- Higher Quality: Butcher shops often source from local farms or reputable suppliers, ensuring a higher quality product compared to mass-produced grocery store pork.
When visiting a butcher, discuss your needs for pork belly shiso yaki. They can guide you to the best option and might even have pre-cut slabs suitable for your recipe.
Asian Markets: A Treasure Trove for Pork Belly
If you have access to an Asian market, particularly a Korean or Japanese market, you’re in for a treat. These markets often carry various cuts of pork belly, sometimes pre-sliced specifically for dishes like hot pot or BBQ, which can be incredibly convenient for shiso yaki.
- Specialty Cuts: Asian markets may offer pork belly that is already sliced thinly, saving you a significant step in the shiso yaki preparation process. Look for pork belly labeled for “hot pot” or “shabu-shabu.”
- Frozen Options: Frozen pork belly slices are also common and work perfectly well for this recipe, especially if you need it thinly sliced. Freezing is actually beneficial for easy slicing as mentioned in the recipe.
- Shiso Leaves: While you’re at the Asian market, you can also conveniently pick up fresh shiso leaves, ensuring you have both key ingredients in one trip.
Fresh shiso leaves and pork belly, key ingredients for Shiso Yaki
Asian markets can be a one-stop shop for all your pork belly shiso yaki needs, offering both the main ingredient and the essential aromatic shiso leaves.
Buying Pork Belly Online: Convenience Delivered
In today’s world, buying meat online is increasingly common. Several online retailers specialize in high-quality meats, including pork belly.
- Wide Selection: Online butchers often have a broader selection of pork belly, including different breeds, organic options, and specific cuts.
- Home Delivery: The ultimate convenience – have premium pork belly delivered straight to your door.
- Detailed Information: Online retailers usually provide detailed information about the source, breed, and cut of their pork, allowing you to make informed choices.
When buying pork belly online, ensure you choose a reputable retailer with good reviews and secure shipping practices, especially for perishable goods.
Choosing the Right Pork Belly for Shiso Yaki
Regardless of where you buy your pork belly, keep these points in mind for shiso yaki:
- Balance of Fat and Meat: As the original recipe notes, fat is crucial for flavor and moisture in this dish. Don’t choose overly lean pork belly. Look for a good marbling of fat throughout the meat.
- Skinless Pork Belly: The recipe calls for skinless pork belly, so ensure the piece you purchase has the skin removed unless you plan to remove it yourself.
- Size and Length: For easy rolling, a longer piece of pork belly is better. Aim for a piece that is at least 7 inches (18cm) long, as mentioned in the original recipe, to prevent unraveling during cooking.
Close-up of raw pork belly showing layers of fat and lean meat, ideal for Shiso Yaki
Preparing Your Pork Belly for Shiso Yaki
Once you’ve sourced your pork belly, proper preparation is key to achieving the best results in your shiso yaki. The recipe emphasizes freezing the pork belly to make slicing easier.
- Freezing: Partially freezing the pork belly for at least 3 hours is crucial. This firms up the fat and meat, allowing you to slice it paper-thin, which is essential for the texture and cooking of shiso yaki.
- Slicing Thinly: Aim for slices that are about 1/16 inch (2mm) thick. If you don’t have a very sharp knife or feel uncomfortable slicing this thinly, consider asking your butcher to slice it for you or look for pre-sliced options at Asian markets.
Thinly sliced pork belly laid out on plastic wrap, ready for shiso leaves
Enjoying Your Homemade Pork Belly Shiso Yaki
With quality pork belly in hand and expertly prepared, you’re well on your way to creating delicious pork belly shiso yaki. Follow the recipe instructions for wrapping the pork belly with shiso leaves, skewering, and grilling or broiling to perfection.
Grilled pork belly shiso yaki skewers, browned and ready to serve
Whether you choose to buy your pork belly from a grocery store, butcher, Asian market, or online, focusing on quality and proper preparation will ensure your pork belly shiso yaki is a flavorful and authentic culinary experience. Don’t hesitate to explore different sources to find your preferred pork belly and enjoy the process of creating this delightful dish.
