Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Spareribs (Suon Kho)
Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Spareribs (Suon Kho)
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork spareribs, cut, parboiled and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or deep pan, add the cooking oil and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and turns into a rich, golden brown caramel. This creates the signature caramelized flavor and color for the dish.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the minced garlic and minced shallots to the caramel. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Immediately add the parboiled and rinsed pork spareribs to the pot. Stir well to coat the ribs evenly with the caramel, garlic, and shallots.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of granulated sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, water, ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and MSG to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together to combine thoroughly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the spareribs simmer for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Uncover the pot and stir the spareribs gently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Cover the pot again and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. Check occasionally and add a little more water if the sauce is reducing too quickly and the ribs are not yet tender.
⏱️ 15 min
- 7
Uncover the pot, stir the ribs, and continue to cook uncovered over medium-low heat. This allows the sauce to reduce and thicken to your preferred consistency. Continue cooking until the ribs are tender and the sauce is glossy and coats the meat well.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. If desired, stir in the chopped green onions just before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Spareribs (Suon Kho)
- 3 pounds pork spareribs, cut, parboiled and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or deep pan, add the cooking oil and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and turns into a rich, golden brown caramel. This creates the signature caramelized flavor and color for the dish.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the minced garlic and minced shallots to the caramel. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Immediately add the parboiled and rinsed pork spareribs to the pot. Stir well to coat the ribs evenly with the caramel, garlic, and shallots.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of granulated sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, water, ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and MSG to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together to combine thoroughly.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the spareribs simmer for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Uncover the pot and stir the spareribs gently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Cover the pot again and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. Check occasionally and add a little more water if the sauce is reducing too quickly and the ribs are not yet tender.
⏱️ 15 min - 7
Uncover the pot, stir the ribs, and continue to cook uncovered over medium-low heat. This allows the sauce to reduce and thicken to your preferred consistency. Continue cooking until the ribs are tender and the sauce is glossy and coats the meat well.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. If desired, stir in the chopped green onions just before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice.
⏱️ 1 min