Bai Sach Chrouk (Cambodian Grilled Pork and Rice)
Local name: បាយសាច់ជ្រូក
In short: Thin slices of pork marinated in coconut milk, garlic and palm sugar, grilled until caramelized and served over rice with pickles and clear broth. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 575 kcal
Bai sach chrouk, pork and rice, is the classic Cambodian breakfast. Thin slices of pork are soaked in a marinade of coconut milk, garlic and palm sugar, then grilled over charcoal until sweet, smoky and lightly charred. They are laid over rice with sliced pickles and a bowl of clear broth on the side. The pork needs at least two hours in the marinade to pick up the flavor.
Instructions
- Mix the coconut milk, garlic, palm sugar, fish sauce and pepper until the sugar dissolves. Add the pork, turn to coat, cover and marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Stir the vinegar, sugar and salt until dissolved. Toss with the cucumber and carrot and leave to pickle for 30 minutes.
- Cook the rice in the usual way. Heat the chicken stock with the spring onion and a pinch of salt for the side broth.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium. Lift the pork from the marinade, letting the extra drip off, and grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until caramelized and cooked through.
- Check that the thickest slices have reached at least 63°C (145°F). Rest for 2 minutes.
- Serve the pork over rice with the pickles and a small bowl of hot broth.
Tips
- Slice the pork thin and against the grain, so it grills quickly without drying out. Partially freezing the meat for 30 minutes makes slicing easier.
- Keep the heat at medium. The sugar in the marinade burns fast, so turn the slices often and watch for dark patches.
Questions and answers
Can I make bai sach chrouk in a pan?
Yes. Sear the slices in a hot cast iron pan for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You will miss the smokiness, but the caramelized flavor is still excellent.
How long should the pork marinate?
At least 2 hours, up to 24 hours. The coconut milk and palm sugar flavor the meat and keep it tender, so longer is better.
What is usually served with bai sach chrouk?
Steamed rice, sliced cucumber and pickles, and a bowl of clear broth with spring onion. A drizzle of chili sauce or a fried egg is common at stalls.
How long does it take to make Bai Sach Chrouk (Cambodian Grilled Pork and Rice)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bai Sach Chrouk (Cambodian Grilled Pork and Rice)?
About 575 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 75 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 575 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 1400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
