Main Course · Lunch · Dinner · Asian ·

Filipino Lechon Kawali with Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Name: Filipino Lechon Kawali with Vinegar Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 lbs pork belly, skin on; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon black peppercorns; 3 bay leaves; 8 cups water; 1 onion, quartered; 4 cloves garlic, smashed; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 3 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying; 1 cup white vinegar; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; Salt and pepper to taste

A deliciously crispy fried pork belly paired with a tangy vinegar dipping sauce, popular in Filipino cuisine.

4.4(989 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 5, 2025

Filipino Lechon Kawali with Vinegar Dipping Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Pork Belly

For the Broth

For Frying

For the Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 1655 kcal
Protein: 14.17 g
Carbs: 3.67 g
Fat: 166.67 g
Fiber: 0.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 9929 kcal
Protein: 85 g
Carbs: 22 g
Fat: 1000 g
Fiber: 3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 lbs pork belly, skin on	4000	80	0	360	0
1 tablespoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon black peppercorns	6	0	1	0	1
3 bay leaves	6	0	1	0	0
8 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 onion, quartered	44	1	10	0	2
4 cloves garlic, smashed	16	1	4	0	0
1 tablespoon soy sauce	10	1	1	0	0
3 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying	5760	0	0	640	0
1 cup white vinegar	3	0	0	0	0
3 cloves garlic, minced	12	1	3	0	0
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes	6	0	1	0	0
1 tablespoon soy sauce	10	1	1	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Pork Belly

1
Clean Pork Belly
Clean the pork belly and pat dry with paper towels.
2
Season Pork Belly
Rub salt and pepper all over the pork belly.
3
Rest to Marinate
Set aside for 30 minutes to let it absorb the seasoning.

Preparing the Broth

1
Combine Ingredients
In a large pot, combine the water, onion, garlic, bay leaves, soy sauce, and pre-seasoned pork belly.
2
Boil and Simmer
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
3
Cook Until Tender
Cook for 1 hour, or until pork is tender.
Tip: Ensure to pat the boiled pork belly dry before frying to avoid oil splatters. Pro Tip: Plan to make this dish a day ahead to let the boiled pork chill in the fridge, which helps achieve a crispier texture when fried.

How to Make Filipino Lechon Kawali with Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Deep Frying
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot and fry the pork belly until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
2
Resting
After frying, let the pork belly rest on a wire rack to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
3
Making the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well.