Ginger Pork (Shōgayaki)

Introduction

Shōgayaki, or Japanese Ginger Pork, is one of Japan’s most popular home-cooked comfort foods. Shōga means ginger, and yaki means grilled or cooked over heat.

Thin slices of pork are marinated with fresh ginger and grated onion, then pan-fried and coated in a savory-sweet sauce made with soy sauce, sake, and mirin. It’s a simple, flavorful Japanese dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice and shredded cabbage.

Ingredients

[Servings : 1-2, 5pices]

• Pork loin slices: 5 (about 200 g)
• Onion: 1/2
• All-purpose flour: As needed
• Oil: 1/2 tbsp

Sauce

• Soy sauce: 2 tbsp
• Sake: 2 tbsp
• Mirin: 2 tbsp
• Sugar: 1 tsp
• Fresh ginger, grated: About a 1-inch piece

Instruction

1. Thinly slice half of the onion. Grate the remaining half and mix it with the soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and grated ginger.
2. Place the pork and sauce in a bowl or zip-top bag. Massage gently to coat and marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the pork from the marinade and lightly dust both sides with flour. Reserve the marinade.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the pork in a single layer and cook until lightly browned.
5. Add the sliced onion and continue cooking until softened.
6. Pour in the reserved marinade. Flip the pork a few times and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and evenly coats the meat.

Tips

• Grated onion naturally helps tenderize the pork while adding sweetness to the sauce.
• A light coating of flour helps the sauce cling to the pork.
• Shōgayaki is traditionally served with steamed rice and shredded cabbage.
• The sauce may taste slightly strong on its own, but it is designed to be enjoyed with rice.