Japanese Ginger Pork

4.25 from 4 votes
Recipe IndexRecipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย privacy policy.

Easy and quick Japanese Ginger Pork recipe brings a mouthwatering dish to the table in less than 20 minutes. Tender and Juicy pork slices coated with sweet and savory ginger sauce are incredibly delicious and flavorful.

Tender and juicy Japanese ginger pork served in a white plate.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Japanese Ginger Pork Recipe

Japanese ginger pork, also known as shogayaki, is a classic Japanese dish that is both easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful. This dish features thinly sliced pork that is quickly stir-fried in a sweet and savory ginger sauce.

This dish serves as a comfort meal with white rice or freshly shredded lettuce and tomato for a refreshing taste.


Why This Recipe Works

Tender pork slices coated with sweet ginger sauce served with shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes in a plate with a pair of chopstick on the side.

This recipe is easy to prepare and only calls for six basic ingredients that are affordable and accessible at most grocery stores.

It’s the perfect recipe for busy moms and young professionals who want a quick yet delicious meal in less than 20 minutes.

The dish contains a good amount of protein from the pork and is typically served with fresh vegetables, making it a nutritious and well-balanced meal.


Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for Japanese ginger pork recipe.

This ultimate Japanese ginger pork recipe calls for six everyday ingredients.

  • Fresh ginger
  • Soy Sauce
  • Mirin
  • Sugar
  • Olive oil
  • Thinly pork slices

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.


How To Make Japanese Ginger Pork

To make Japanese ginger pork, start by preparing the ginger sauce. Combine grated ginger with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir well and set it aside.

Ginger sauce in a small bowl.

Next, heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add thinly sliced pork belly or pork loin. Stir-fry the pork slices for 1 to 2 minutes until the meat is no longer pink. Then, pour the ginger sauce over the meat. Bring it to a simmer and continue cooking the dish until the sauce thickens.

Pork slices being stirred fried with ginger sauce in a pan.

Turn off the heat and dish out. Serve immediately with lettuce and tomato, or a bowl of steamed white rice.


Cooking Tips

For the most flavorful, tender, and juicy Japanese ginger pork, please follow a few tips below.

  • Using the right cut of meat, including thinly sliced pork belly and pork loin, works best for the dish. 
  • Grating fresh ginger will give the dish a stronger flavor and aroma than using ginger powder.
  • Do not overcook the meat. Stir-fry the pork slices over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes to sear the meat and keep it juicy. Do not overcook the pork, as it will become tough and dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Shogayaki”?

The word “Shogayaki” literally means “ginger fry” in Japanese, and the dish is known for its tender meat and flavorful sauce. It is typically served with steamed rice and shredded lettuce, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.
Shogayaki is a common dish in Japanese cuisine, often found in izakayas (Japanese pubs) and home-cooked meals alike.

Which part of the pork should I use for cooking Japanese ginger pork?

It is recommended to use thinly sliced pork belly or pork loin. Both cuts of meat are tender and flavorful, making them ideal for stir-frying and absorbing the flavors of the ginger sauce.
Pork belly is slightly fattier and can provide a richer flavor, while pork loin is leaner and has less flavor. Ultimately, the choice of the cut depends on personal preference and availability. However, it is important to slice the meat thinly to ensure that it cooks evenly and stays tender.

How many calories per serving?

This recipe has 303 calories per serving.

Tender, juicy pork slices coated with savory ginger sauce served in a plate.

What To Serve With Japanese Ginger Pork

For an easy and wholesome Japanese meal, I recommend the following recipes:

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for new updates.

Freshly baked cod fillet with seasonings crust on a plate, garnished with lemon slices and herbs.
5 Secrets to 20-Minute Dinners
FREE EMAIL BONUS: How would it feel to have dinner DONE in 20 minutes? I’ll show you how!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
4.25 from 4 votes

Japanese Ginger Pork

Easy and quick Japanese Ginger Pork recipe brings a mouthwatering dish to the table in less than 20 minutes. Tender and Juicy pork slices coated with sweet and savory ginger sauce are incredibly delicious and flavorful. Serve with rice or shredded lettuce, and you will have lunch or dinner ready for the whole family.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients  

  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 200 gram (⅖ pounds) thinly sliced pork

Instructions 

  • Prepare the ginger sauce by peeling and grating the ginger. In a small bowl, combine the grated ginger and its juice with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Stir well and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork slices and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Then, pour the ginger sauce over the meat.
  • Lower the heat to medium, give the meat a quick stir, and bring it to a simmer. Once the sauce has thickened and the pork is cooked through, turn off the heat and transfer the pork to a plate.
  • Serve immediately with freshly shredded lettuce and tomato, if desired.

Notes

  • Using the right cut of meat, including thinly sliced pork belly and pork loin, works best for the dish. 
  • Grating fresh ginger will give the dish a stronger flavor and aroma than using ginger powder.
  • Do not overcook the meat. Stir-fry the pork slices over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes to sear the meat and keep it juicy. Do not overcook the pork, as it will become tough and dry.

Nutrition

Serving: 2people, Calories: 303kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 579mg, Potassium: 335mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Please rate and comment below!

About Rasa Malaysia

Bee Yinn Low is a cookbook author and a recipe developer specializing in easy, quick and delicious home cooking. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including TV appearances, live cooking demos, radio interviews, and press mentions in the United States and Asia.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





16 Comments

  1. Donna says:

    Could you use beef or chicken instead? Also where do I get mirin?

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Yes you can. You can get mirin online or at Japanese or Korean or general Asian food stores.

  2. Maryrose says:

    5 stars
    I used pork tenderloin and it was delicious threw in some sliced zucchini *-) thank you

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Yummy!

  3. danc says:

    2 stars
    i dont know if i did something wrong but i followed the directions. this receipe was so salty i think my toungue is dehydrated.

  4. Lynne Picard says:

    Can I pour this sauce over a pork loin roast and cook in crockpot? I work midnights and looking for recipes that cooks while I sleep. Thank you
    Lynne

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Hi Lynne. The magic of this recipe is the flavours are quickly absorbed by thinly sliced pork. If you use a whole pork loin, the flavours may not be able to permeate through the centre. However, if you use sliced pork loin in a crockpot, it could work.

  5. Thomas Lim says:

    This is a lovely recipe which we have done.. Easy to prepare for a one meal dish .Very much appreciated.

  6. Vinnie says:

    5 stars
    This dish was a Hit! Delicious as stated I Will make it again! Only change is More Sauce because it is so Good!

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Thanks, Vinnie. Very glad you enjoyed the dish.

  7. Grant Armstrong says:

    5 stars
    WOWOWEEE!!!!! Thank you for this very tasty and brilliant recipe. Much appreciated

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Thanks!

  8. Dave S says:

    Hi!
    Question about the calories. Wouldn’t this be higher in calories using pork belly since it’s often an extremely fatty cut of pork?

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Since you are using thinly sliced pork belly, there isn’t as much fat and calorie content.

  9. Sally says:

    This recipe sounds delicious and super easy. I love, love ginger! Can it be made with chicken instead of pork? If so, is there anything I should do different?
    Thanks ~
    Sally

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      If you want to make it with chicken, I would marinate the chicken in the sauce for about 30 mins before cooking.