thit kho is a nostalgic staple in almost every Vietnamese home and is traditionally (but not exclusively) served around lunar new year with each family adding their own twist to the recipe. While the ingredients may vary, the heart of the dish remains the same—The pork is often cooked until it’s tender and the sauce is thick and caramelized, giving the dish a deep, umami-rich taste with a hint of sweetness.
The goal of making thịt kho is to achieve a balance between these flavors while ensuring the meat is tender and flavorful. The braising process allows the pork to absorb the flavors of the sauce, creating a complex and satisfying taste profile. Thịt kho is usually served with steamed rice and often accompanied by pickled vegetables or fresh herbs to add a contrasting crunch and freshness.
our Recipe notes:
- Parboil the pork with ginger for 8–10 minutes to remove odors from the fat and impurities from the meat.
- Coconut water is traditionally used, but it can be substituted with stock, broth and water if preferred.
- In Vietnam, the classic caramelizing technique involves melting sugar to an amber color, adding depth to the sweetness. I opted for brown sugar instead—thanks to the molasses, it simplifies the process and time, and I find adds a depth of earthiness.
- get fancy with jammy eggs and boil them for 6 mins then set to the side, serve them cut in half with the sauce poured over top, enough to soak, but not cook, the egg.
- we also love throwing in quail eggs as they are a bit richer in texture and flavor, plus it’s fun to eat!
- This recipe uses a braising technique, so it’s important to season and taste as you go. As the liquid reduces, you may need to make adjustments. You might find that you need to add more stock to thin the sauce or adjust the seasoning.
- the smaller your cut of meat, the quicker it braises and becomes fork tender. we usually aim for 1.5″ cubes.
- WE love using our dutch oven for our braising because of even heat distribution, moisture retention, and durability – this makes Dutch ovens an excellent choice and it also speeds up the cooking time a bit too!