Vietnamese Braised Pork with Eggs (Thit Kho)

When I was growing up (and even these days), non-Vietnamese friends would often ask me if my family made a lot of pho. As stereotypical as this can can sound, part of me understands why they would assume since pho seems to be such a staple dish from my culture. In most major cities, you can count on finding at least one pho restaurant.

Contrary, I grew up eating a lot Vietnamese comfort foods that consisted mostly of proteins and rice. Vietnamese braised pork and eggs (what I know as "thit kho" in my family) was a frequent meal that would be served for dinner. It's these kinds of meals that I really appreciate because you don't find it too often in restaurants.

My mom is the real pro when it comes to making thit kho. While this is technically a version of her recipe, it's been a major guessing game with her extremely vague measurement instructions. Like most Asian moms, they never record exactly how much they use for each ingredient, ha! I did my best to translate what "a few spoonfuls" mean and have updated this recipe a few times to my liking. Hope you enjoy!

Recipe last updated 12/20/2020

Vietnamese Braised Pork with Eggs (Thit Kho)

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 1 hr 10 min

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs pork shoulder or belly (Note: I recommend a combo of both)

• 1/2 cup fish sauce

• 4 tbsp brown sugar

• 1/8 tsp black pepper

• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)

• 2 shallots (minced)

• 1 tbsp olive oli

• 1/4 onion (thinly sliced)

• 4 boiled eggs (shells removed)

• 1 can of coconut soda (12 oz)

• Optional: Green onions (chopped, for garnish)

Directions:

• Cut up pork into smaller pieces or cubes.

• In a bowl, add and mix together fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, garlic, and shallots. Add pork and mix all ingredients together again. Try to spread out pork so most of meat is soaked in marinade. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

• Heat up olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onions and sauté until fragrant. Add in pork with all the marinade. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until meat starts to brown.

• Add coconut soda and turn up heat to high. Once liquid starts to boil, turn down heat to low.

• Add boiled eggs to the pot. Make sure liquid covers most of pork and eggs. If it doesn't, add a little more coconut soda or water.

• Let simmer for at least 1 hour.

• Remove scum from top layer of liquid with scum remover or spoon.

• Once ready to serve, add green onions as garnish. Serve warm with rice.