Peranakan Babi Pongteh with Bamboo Shoots

Babi Pongteh is a cherished Peranakan stew that has found its place in the heart of traditional festive cuisine. Boasting bamboo shoots as its original hallmark, this dish has evolved to frequently feature potatoes. With succulent pork belly at its core, it carries a robust flavor profile, enriched by a generous quantity of shallots and garlic that can be adjusted to taste. This comfort food encapsulates the essence of Peranakan heritage and culinary artistry.

Pork belly is what my mum used when she cooked this dish but I’ve added some pork shoulder to have more lean meat in this recipe. I also love the strong taste of shallots and garlic in this dish and that’s why the amount in the recipe is quite substantial. You can reduce it if you find it too strong for your liking. Hope you like my version of this well-known peranakan dish.

Please click on the video tutorial and print out the recipe below.

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Thank you

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/E6qZpON_pjc

Peranakan Babi Pongteh with Bamboo Shoots
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Peranakan
Author: Shiokman Eddie
Ingredients
  • 800 g pork belly
  • 200 g pork shoulder
  • 500 g small onions
  • 250 g garlic
  • 100 g dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 750 g bamboo shoots
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp light tau cheo soya bean paste – to taste
  • 1 to 1½ Tbsp dark tau cheo soya bean paste – to taste
  • 1 Tbsp dark soya sauce
  • 1 Tbsp sugar – to taste
Instructions
  1. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water until soften. Remove stems and keep water that was soaking the mushrooms.
  2. Grind garlic and small onions into fine paste (add some water if necessary).
  3. Add bamboo shoots into a pot of boiling water and leave it to boil until soften. Remove and slice into smaller pieces.

  4. Cut pork into smaller pieces and blanch in boiling water for a few minutes to remove impurities. Remove blanched pork and placed under cold running water to stop the cooking process.

  5. In a hot wok, add some oil and grounded small onions. Fry for a few minutes until fragrant.
  6. Add the minced garlic, fry and mix well. Add some more oil if too dry.
  7. Add the light and dark taucheo (soya bean paste) and fry until thoroughly mixed. Add more oil if necessary and fry until thoroughly cooked.

  8. Add the pork and mix well until thoroughly coated.
  9. Add dark soya sauce and mix well.
  10. Add mushroom water, plain water, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and mix everything together. Bring to boil and let it simmer for at least an hour or until meat is tender. Add some water if you want more gravy for your rice.

  11. Serve with sambal belacan.
Recipe Notes

If you like, you may add green chillies to the dish.

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