Filipino Lechon Kawali
Lechon kawali is a Filipino dish made from deep-fried pork belly. It's crispy on the outside and served with a dipping sauce.
To make it, you'll need to boil the pork belly first, then fry it until it's golden brown.
The result is crunchy bites that you can eat with your favorite sauce.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted October 1, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Lechon kawali is a Filipino dish made from deep-fried pork belly. It's crispy on the outside and served with a dipping sauce.
To make it, you'll need to boil the pork belly first, then fry it until it's golden brown.
The result is crunchy bites that you can eat with your favorite sauce.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 6
1.5 pounds pork belly, cut into small pieces
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bay leaves
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups oil for frying, or as needed
Instructions
-
1
Gather all ingredients.
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2
Put pork belly, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper in a skillet. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes until the skin is tender.
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3
Drain the pork and let it sit at room temperature until it's dry.
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4
Heat 2 cups of oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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5
Fry the pork in hot oil in batches until it's golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
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6
Remove the fried pork with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Amount Per Serving
-
Calories 502 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 45g
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Saturated Fat 11g
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Cholesterol 62mg
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Sodium 1587mg
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Total Carbohydrate 2g
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Protein 21g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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