Teriyaki Pork Belly is juicy, flavorful, and coated in a shiny, irresistible glaze that clings to every bite. The pork becomes tender as it cooks, while the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce slowly reduces into a rich coating that pairs perfectly with rice or noodles.

Teriyaki dishes are loved for their balance of salty, sweet, and savory flavors. The glossy glaze and deep umami flavor make them especially comforting and satisfying, whether served as a quick weeknight dinner or part of a larger meal.

In this recipe, we use pork belly, a cut of meat known for its rich flavor and tender texture. As it cooks, the layers of fat and meat soften beautifully, creating a dish that is both succulent and deeply flavorful.

With just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes of cooking time, you can create a restaurant-quality teriyaki pork belly right at home.

What Is Teriyaki?

Teriyaki is a popular Japanese cooking technique that uses a sweet and savory glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. The word teriyaki comes from two Japanese words: “teri,” meaning shine or glaze, and “yaki,” meaning grilled or cooked over heat.

Traditionally, the meat or fish is grilled or pan-cooked first, then brushed with the teriyaki sauce as it cooks. The sauce caramelizes on the surface, creating the signature glossy coating and rich flavor.

While the technique is simple, the combination of salty soy sauce, sweetness, and gentle caramelization is what makes teriyaki dishes so recognizable and delicious.

The Cooking Method in This Recipe

This recipe uses a slightly different approach that works especially well for pork belly.

Instead of brushing the sauce onto grilled meat, we use a sear → simmer → reduce method to build flavor quickly while keeping the pork tender.

First, the pork belly is seared in a hot pan to develop flavor and begin rendering the fat. Next, the pork simmers in the teriyaki sauce so it can absorb the sweet and savory seasoning.

Finally, the sauce is reduced until it thickens into a glossy glaze that coats the pork beautifully. This method allows the pork belly to become tender while still creating the classic shiny teriyaki finish.

Why Pork Belly Works So Well?

Pork belly is an ideal cut for this type of cooking because of its natural layers of meat and fat. As the pork cooks, the fat slowly renders and keeps the meat juicy and tender.

The richness of pork belly also pairs especially well with the sweet and savory flavor of teriyaki sauce. The glaze balances the richness of the meat, creating a dish that feels both indulgent and satisfying.

Because pork belly becomes tender relatively quickly when simmered, it works perfectly for this faster teriyaki-style method while still delivering deep flavor.

What Goes Into Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce is traditionally made from a small combination of ingredients that create its signature sweet and savory flavor.

Soy sauce provides the salty and umami base of the sauce.
Mirin adds mild sweetness and helps create the glossy glaze.
Sake enhances the aroma and balances the richness of the sauce.
Sugar deepens the sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize as it reduces.

When these ingredients cook together, the sauce thickens and forms the shiny coating that teriyaki dishes are known for.

Step-by-Step: Let’s Cook!

Step 1: Prepare the garlic

Finely mince the garlic cloves and set aside.

Tip: Finely minced garlic releases its aroma quickly and blends smoothly into the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the pork belly

Use a fork to pierce the pork belly pieces all over.

Tip: Piercing the pork helps it cook slightly faster and allows the sauce to penetrate the meat during braising.

Step 3: Make the teriyaki sauce

In a bowl, combine the mirin, sake, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, water, and sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves.

Tip: Mixing the sauce ahead of time ensures the seasoning distributes evenly once it goes into the pan. Dark soy sauce isn’t commonly used in traditional teriyaki sauce, but adding a small amount here gives the pork belly a deeper color and a more vibrant glaze.

Step 4: Sear the pork belly

In a pan over high heat, add the pork belly pieces and sear for about 2 minutes per side until golden and some fat begins to render. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until aromatic.

Tip: Searing builds flavor and begins rendering the pork fat, which enriches the sauce. If you prefer a lighter dish, you can remove some of the rendered fat before adding the sauce.

Step 5: Simmer the pork belly

Pour the teriyaki sauce into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, flipping the pork once halfway through.

Tip: Covering the pan allows the pork belly to cook gently while absorbing the sweet and savory teriyaki flavor.

Step 6: Reduce the sauce

Remove the lid and increase the heat to high. Cook for about 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over the pork until it thickens into a glossy glaze.

Cut into small pieces and serve.

Tip: Reducing the sauce concentrates the flavor and creates the signature shiny teriyaki coating.