Fu De Crispy Pork

Fu De Crispy Pork

　　　In the rural areas of northern Sichuan, the folk customs are simple and sincere. Whether it’s a wedding, funeral, or other joyous or solemn occasion, relatives, friends, and neighbors all come to offer their congratulations. The host family then prepares a grand feast to entertain the guests. Among the dishes, the golden-colored, delicious, crispy, soft, and smooth crispy pork is the most eye-catching, serving as the highlight of the banquet—the pièce de résistance—which is usually served last, placed on a serving plate and brought to the table. It’s absolutely delicious.

　　Crispy pork is a popular dish among the common folk, loved by almost everyone. However, truly distinctive crispy pork is quite rare. Among the various types enjoyed in cities or mountain villages across northern Sichuan, the “Fu De Crispy Pork” from Fu De Town in Peng’an County stands out as the most famous.

　　Chefs prepare “Fu De Crispy Pork” with great care. The first step is to meticulously clean the pork by repeatedly scraping and washing it—usually selecting the hard rib meat, though pork belly can also be used. The meat is then cut into hexagonal pieces about the size of mahjong tiles using a kitchen knife, briefly boiled in hot water for 4–5 minutes before being removed. Next, the lean pork and any diced scraps are minced into a fine paste, mixed with chopped scallions, mashed garlic, cooking wine, MSG, salt, and starch—typically sweet potato starch—with a little cold water added. The mixture is stirred repeatedly with chopsticks, then spooned into hot oil to deep-fry until golden and crispy. Once done, it’s removed from the oil and set aside in a bamboo colander to cool. The third step involves placing the pre-prepared diamond-shaped pork skins on a cutting board, spreading a layer of egg batter on top, adding the meat filling, and gently pressing it down with a flat knife. The mixture is then slowly pan-fried over low heat until tender, after which the crispy pork is placed in a bowl, embedded with the cooked diamond-shaped pork pieces, and steamed until soft. Once steamed, the bowl is uncovered, inverted onto a larger bowl, and flipped over—revealing the golden, smooth crispy pork on top, with the diamond-shaped pork pieces hidden underneath. Of course, using steamed sweet potato cubes as the base in the bowl is also common. The steamed sweet potatoes are tender, fluffy, and fragrant, leaving a rich, lingering aftertaste that’s both comforting and delightful.

　　When the steamed crispy pork is taken out of the bamboo steamer, the aroma wafts through the air, making it look like a round yurt. Skilled chefs may even creatively top the “yurt” with a thin layer of glutinous rice porridge, drizzle it with cooking wine, and sprinkle a few scallion greens on top. Before serving, they might even light it with a lighter, waiting for the greenish-blue flame to burn off before diners dig in. The thin layer of glutinous rice porridge is warm, aromatic, soft, and has a subtle hint of alcohol, refreshing the palate. The soft, tender hard rib meat is steamed to a perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture, neither greasy nor overly fatty. The golden crispy pork made with sweet potato starch has a unique shape, is smooth and tender, glossy and fragrant, with a savory-sweet flavor that dissolves effortlessly in the mouth, leaving a rich and endless aftertaste.

　　It’s worth mentioning that the ingredients for crispy pork are readily available and simple to prepare. Sweet potatoes form the base, while starch acts as the binding agent—sweet potatoes are known for their anti-cancer properties and benefits for skin health. The pork comes from locally raised and slaughtered hogs, making it natural, eco-friendly, and free from additives. The steamed tender hard rib meat is rich yet not greasy, while the pork belly strikes a perfect balance between fat and lean. The resulting crispy pork is smooth, tender, and easy to digest. Regularly enjoying such an authentic and delicious dish naturally offers subtle yet significant health benefits, promoting longevity—a fact reflected in the many elderly long-livers found in the rural households of Peng’an.

　　“This delicacy must be heaven-sent, how often can one taste it in this mortal world?” In the spiritually rich hometown of Sima Xiangru, Peng’an, with its picturesque pastoral scenery, ancient and profound cultural heritage, and vibrant local traditions, this beautiful and fertile land blends the gifts of nature with the wisdom of its people. Verdant mountains and clear waters complement each other, and scenic wonders abound. As you explore this magical land, admire the boundless beauty, and savor the endless culinary delights, how can visitors and locals alike not sincerely exclaim: “Peng’an’s landscapes are as stunning as a painting, and Fu De’s crispy pork is simply delightful!”