Eggs and Pork Belly Stew (Khai Palo)

Hard-boil and peel the eggs

Lower the eggs gently into a pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes so the yolks are fully set. Drain and plunge straight into ice water for 5 minutes, then peel carefully under cool running water so the whites stay smooth and whole.

• 8 eggs

✅ Done when: the eggs are cooked through, with firm whites and fully set yolks

Pound the aromatics

Crush the garlic, cilantro roots and white peppercorns together in a mortar, or blitz briefly in a small food processor, until you have a rough, wet paste. This pounded base is what gives khai palo its deep savoury backbone, so take the time to really crush it rather than just mincing the garlic.

• 6 cloves garlic
• 4 cilantro roots
• 1 tsp white peppercorns

✅ Done when: the mixture looks like a sticky, fragrant paste, not whole pieces

Fry the tofu

Heat half the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu cubes in batches until golden on at least two sides, then lift out onto a plate; this light crust keeps the tofu from falling apart during the long simmer later.

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 400 g firm tofu

✅ Done when: the tofu cubes have a light golden crust

Brown the pork and spices

Add the remaining oil to the same pot with the shallots and the pounded paste, and fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the pork belly, cinnamon sticks, star anise and five-spice powder, and brown the meat on all sides for about 5 minutes; this toasts the spices and builds the dark, warm aroma that defines the dish.

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 shallots
• 700 g pork belly
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
• 2 tsp five-spice powder

✅ Done when: the pork is browned on the outside and the kitchen smells of warm spice

Simmer until tender

Pour in the water or stock, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and palm sugar. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then cover and simmer on low heat for 1 to 1¼ hours, until the pork belly is completely tender and the broth tastes rounded and a little sweet.

• 1.5 litres water or stock
• 5 tbsp light soy sauce
• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 60 g palm sugar

✅ Done when: a piece of pork belly can be cut easily with a spoon and the broth has reduced slightly

Add eggs and tofu

Slide the peeled eggs and fried tofu into the pot. Simmer uncovered, without stirring too hard so the eggs stay whole, for 20–25 minutes, so they soak up the dark, sweet broth and the sauce reduces to a light, clingy consistency rather than staying watery.

• 8 eggs (from step 1)
• 400 g tofu (from step 3)

✅ Done when: the egg whites are deep brown on the outside and the sauce coats the back of a spoon

Serve

Halve or quarter the eggs if you like, then ladle the pork, tofu and eggs into bowls over steamed rice, with plenty of the dark sauce. Scatter with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot.

• to serve fresh cilantro leaves