A Taste of Home: Vietnam's Savory-Sweet Garlic Pork Chops (Sườn Cốt Lết Rim Tỏi)

Details
A staple in Vietnamese home cooking, this dish of tender pork chops, pan-fried and simmered in a rich, garlicky, and savory-sweet sauce is pure comfort in a bowl. The magic lies in the simple yet potent glaze of fish sauce, sugar, and plenty of garlic, which caramelizes into an irresistible coating. It's a quick, flavorful, and deeply satisfying meal that will have you reaching for an extra scoop of rice.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Pork
Clean the pork chops by rubbing them with salt, then rinse under cold water and pat dry. To help the pork cook evenly and absorb more flavor, you can gently pound the chops or make a few shallow cuts across the surface.
Marinate
In a bowl, combine the pork chops with the minced garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure the chops are evenly coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Sear the Chops
Place a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the marinated pork chops in the pan. Sear for about 3-5 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Create the Sauce
Add any remaining minced garlic and shallots from the marinade bowl to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Simmer and Glaze
Pour the fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, and water (or coconut water) into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer. Allow the pork chops to cook in the sauce, turning them occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and thickened into a beautiful, sticky glaze that coats the meat. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
Serve
Transfer the glazed pork chops to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the pan over the top. Garnish with sliced scallions and optional chili. This dish is best served immediately with a side of hot steamed rice.
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