Go Back
–+ servings
a pan of Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs (Suon Xao Chua Ngot)
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs (Suon Xao Chua Ngot)

Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs (Suon xao chua ngot) features tender pork ribs coated with a mouthwatering savory sweet and sour sauce. Serve it with rice for a very satisfying meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: sweet and sour pork
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 906kcal
Author: Sophie

Ingredients

  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 2.5 lbs meaty pork ribs, cut into 2-inch long sections
  • 3 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 4 small tomatoes (about 10-12 oz)
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder
  • black pepper
US Customary - Grams

Instructions

  • If choosing to finish cooking in the oven, preheat your oven to 400F. If you prefer to use the stove top from start to finish, no need to preheat the oven.
  • Fill a large pot with boiling water, add ginger and 1 teaspoon of salt. Add ribs, make sure they are all covered in water. Bring the pot back to a boil and continue to boil for a couple of minutes. Then drain the ribs and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
  • While blanching the ribs, get all other ingredients ready. Mince shallots and garlic, slice tomatoes into thin wedges, measure and have vinegar, honey, fish sauce and oyster sauce ready.
  • Place an ovenproof saute pan over medium-medium high heat, add some cooking oil. Add ribs in single layer and sear until lightly brown. You may need to work in batches. Set aside.
  • If there is a lot of oil in the pan, pour it out leaving just enough to lightly coat the bottom. Lower the heat to medium and then add shallot, garlic and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Add tomatoes and sauté for a minute or until tomatoes start releasing juice.
    Cooking sauce
  • Add apple cider vinegar, honey, water, fish sauce, oyster sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase heat to medium high, stir to combine everything and bring to a boil.
  • Add pork ribs and five spice powder, stir and arrange the ribs evenly in the pan. Sprinkle black pepper on top. The liquid should be almost enough to cover the ribs.
    Cooking Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs
  • If using the oven, put the pan in the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until ribs are tender and coated with the thickened sauce. Give it a stir every 15 minutes, and before finishing cooking 5-10 minutes, taste the ribs and the sauce and adjust seasonings to your liking.
  • Instead of putting the pan in the oven, you can simmer it on the stove top until ribs are tender and coated with the thickened sauce. Give it a stir every 15 minutes, and before finishing cooking 5-10 minutes, taste the ribs and the sauce and adjust seasonings to your liking.
  • Sprinkle more black pepper on top and serve hot with rice. You can garnish it with some chopped scallions, cilantro and/or toasted sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Calories: 906kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 226mg | Sodium: 2296mg | Potassium: 1126mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 19.2mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 4.2mg