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Sticky mirin and ginger pork meatball noodle bowls

March 28, 2020 (Last Updated: March 27, 2020)

A low-alcohol rice wine, mirin’s sweet flavour adds balance and brightness to savoury dishes

Recipe, styling and photograph by Hein van Tonder

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Sticky mirin and ginger pork meatball noodle bowls

Serves: 4

Total Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

MEATBALLS
500g pork mince
45g (1/2 cup) panko breadcrumbs
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
large thumb fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp sesame seeds
2 spring onions, finely chopped
1 egg, lightly whisked
sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
vegetable oil, to fry
STICKY MIRIN SAUCE
2 tsp sesame oil
80ml (⅓ cup) mirin
80ml (⅓ cup) soya sauce
100g honey
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
TO SERVE
340g medium egg noodles, cooked according to packaging instructions
steamed vegetables such as pak choi, edamame beans and broccolini bean sprouts, to garnish

Instructions

For the meatballs, place the pork, panko breadcrumbs, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, sesame seeds, spring onion, egg and seasoning to taste in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

Roll the pork mixture into 24 balls (half the size of a golf ball). Place on a large plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

For the sticky mirin sauce, place the sesame oil and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, mix to combine and set aside.

Pour a little vegetable oil into a large pan over high heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, turning halfway through, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Turn down the heat, return all the meatballs to the pan, pour in the sticky mirin sauce and gently toss to coat the meatballs. Cook until the sauce is reduced and sticky, and the meatballs are cooked through, 10 – 15 minutes.

Serve immediately with the noodles and steamed vegetables, garnished with a few bean sprouts.