Crispy Coffee Pork Ribs

A uniquely aromatic fusion dish featuring tender pork ribs coated in a rich, sweet-bitter coffee glaze, double-fried for ultimate crispiness.

Ingredients

• 600 g pork ribs
• 3 g salt
• 2 g black pepper powder
• 15 g fish sauce
• 20 g starch
• 1 egg
• a little sesame oil
• 50-80 ml brewed coffee
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 3 g salt
• 10-15 g sugar
• 15 g soy sauce
• 300 ml water
• 100 ml starch water
• to taste white sesame seeds
• to taste green onion rings
• to taste red chili slices

Instructions

1. 1Soak the pork ribs

   

   Place about 600 grams of pork ribs into a clean metal tray filled with water and let them soak for half an hour. This crucial step helps remove blood and impurities, which are the primary source of gaminess in the meat.

   Tip: Be sure to submerge the ribs completely in clean water for the full 30 minutes to ensure optimal blood removal.
2. 2Pat dry the pork ribs

   

   After soaking, remove the pork ribs and use clean paper towels to pat the surface of each piece completely dry. Removing excess surface moisture helps subsequent seasonings adhere better.

   Tip: Press firmly with the paper towels to extract as much surface water as possible before seasoning.
3. 3Season and coat the ribs

   

   Add 3g of salt, 2g of black pepper powder, 15g of fish sauce, 20g of starch, and 1 egg directly onto the dry pork ribs. If fish sauce is unavailable, soy sauce or oyster sauce can be used as a substitute.

   Tip: Measure the starch and egg carefully to ensure the coating binds evenly to the meat during frying.
4. 4Mix ingredients thoroughly

   

   Use your hands to thoroughly mix the seasonings, starch, and egg with the pork ribs until every piece is evenly coated in the marinade mixture.

   Tip: Ensure the mixture is well distributed so that every rib absorbs the flavors evenly.
5. 5Add sesame oil and marinate

   

   Drizzle a little sesame oil over the seasoned pork ribs and mix evenly. Allow the ribs to marinate for about half an hour to let the flavors deeply penetrate the meat.

   Tip: Letting them marinate for the full 30 minutes is essential for a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
6. 6Prepare coffee powder

   

   Grind fresh coffee beans to obtain coffee powder in a small metal bowl. Coffee beans contain natural polysaccharides and alkaloids that produce a sweet bitterness and special aroma, forming the core signature of this dish.

   Tip: Use freshly ground coffee beans for the best aromatic intensity and flavor clarity.
7. 7Brew the coffee

   

   Pour 50 to 80ml of freshly brewed coffee using a moka pot to extract the concentrated liquid with its distinctive sweet bitterness and aroma.

   Tip: Coffee beans contain polysaccharides and alkaloids that create the unique characteristic aroma and flavor profile of this dish.
8. 8Prepare the coffee sauce

   

   Combine the brewed coffee with minced garlic, salt, sugar, starch, soy sauce, and water in a bowl, then mix well to create the flavor base for the sauce.

   Tip: Adding sugar helps balance and weaken the natural bitterness of the coffee.
9. 9Deep fry the pork ribs

   

   Heat oil to around 160 degrees Celsius, then lower in the marinated pork ribs to deep fry over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes until slightly golden brown.

   Tip: Use a digital thermometer to accurately maintain the oil temperature around 160 degrees for proper initial cooking.
10. 10Remove the fried ribs

    

    Use tongs to lift the golden-brown fried pork ribs out of the hot oil and transfer them to a tray to prepare for the second frying step.

    Tip: Initial frying ensures the ribs are cooked completely through on the inside.
11. 11Re-fry for crispiness

    

    Wait for the oil temperature to rise to around 180 degrees Celsius, then return the pork ribs to the wok for medium-high heat re-frying for about 1 minute to achieve maximum crispiness.

    Tip: Re-frying at a higher temperature ensures the meat texture becomes exceptionally crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions