Henan Crispy Pork with Perilla 炸紫酥肉
Henan Crispy Pork with Perilla is featured among the local specialties of Henan.
Henan Crispy Pork with Perilla (炸紫酥肉) is a Henan (河南) pork-belly dish whose preparation passes through boiling, marinating, steaming and frying. Zhengzhou's Erqi District Government (郑州市二七区人民政府) describes its colour as persimmon red, with a glossy surface and crisp skin.
How it is made
The firm pork belly is boiled, pressed flat and trimmed at the skin. Scallion, ginger, star anise, perilla leaves and other seasonings flavour a marinade before the pork is steamed until cooked.
The meat is then fried for forty to fifty minutes. During frying, fragrant vinegar is repeatedly brushed over the skin until it becomes golden red and crisp. The cooked pork is sliced and arranged on a plate.
How it is eaten
Scallion whites and sweet wheat paste accompany the pork, together with folded lotus-leaf buns or thin pancakes. The combination gives the dish a serving style reminiscent of roast duck, while the pork itself has a crisp exterior and a rich interior, described by the district government as fatty without being greasy.
Sources & reading
Written from the linked sources and fact-checked against them on 2026-09-26. Recipes and servings vary between kitchens.