Spicy Miso Pork and Cabbage is a stir‑fried and lightly braised dish featuring tender pork and cabbage coated in a savory, miso‑based spicy sauce. It’s inspired by Hoi Ko Ro (回鍋肉), a classic Sichuan‑style dish often adapted in Japanese‑Chinese restaurants. The rich, spicy miso flavor pairs beautifully with steamed rice, making it both a popular menu staple at eateries and a comforting, satisfying dinner to enjoy at home.
What’s Spicy Miso Pork?
While Spicy Miso Pork (Hoi Ko Ro) isn’t as well‑known in the U.S. as Chinese‑American favorites like sweet and sour pork or beef and broccoli, it’s one of the most popular Chinese‑inspired dishes in Japan. Over the years, it’s also become a beloved home‑cooked meal, thanks to adaptations that make it easy to prepare with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry—or can easily find at local markets.
In authentic versions of Hoi Ko Ro, pork belly is first simmered until tender, then stir‑fried with fermented black bean paste and chili sauce. Delicious, yes—but a bit too much work for an everyday dinner. That’s why home cooks in Japan have simplified the dish to suit busy lifestyles: they use thinly sliced pork belly (or other cuts) that cook quickly, season it with miso paste they already keep at home, and add a splash of tobanjan (doubanjiang) chili sauce, which is also widely used in Japanese kitchens.
The result is a flavorful, stir‑fried dish that comes together in minutes. Its bold, savory‑spicy taste practically begs to be eaten with a big bowl of steamed white rice—one of the reasons it’s so popular both at restaurants and at home.
Tips and substitutions for Spicy Miso Pork
Meat options – While pork is traditional, any bite‑sized protein works well in this dish. Thinly sliced beef or small pieces of chicken cook quickly and make great alternatives. For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu—it holds its shape during stir‑frying and absorbs the flavorful sauce nicely.
Miso options – Red miso works best for this recipe because its deep, robust flavor balances the spicy sauce beautifully. Awase miso (a blend of red and white) is another good choice, especially if you prefer a slightly milder taste. White miso, on the other hand, is sweeter and much lighter in flavor, so it’s not recommended for this particular dish.
Vegetable options – Cabbage is essential—after all, it’s part of the dish’s name—but you can add other vegetables for variety, such as thinly sliced carrots or Japanese green peppers (piman). Just keep in mind that adding too many vegetables can dilute the flavor of the sauce, so adjust the seasoning as needed.
More recipes like Spicy Miso Pork
Spicy Miso Pork and Cabbage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Braised pork and cabbage in spicy miso flavored sauce
Ingredients
Spicy Miso Sauce
- 1 Tbsp red or Awase miso paste
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sake
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp chili paste (such as Tobanjan)
Instructions
Cut the pork into large bite-sized pieces, sprinkle with salt, sake and starch, and mix well. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Cut the cabbage into 2-inch squares. Slice the green onion into 2-inch lengths. Mince the fresh ginger and garlic.
Mix all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
Heat oil in a wok over medium heat with minced ginger and garlic. Add the meat and stir-fry until lightly browned. Add the cabbage and cook for a couple of minutes, then green onions. Pour in the sauce, and cook for another couple of minutes. Serve immediately.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: cabbage, pork, stir-fry
English (US) · 