Hot and sour rhubarb pork and noodles

Tangy rhubarb is used to make a hot and sour sauce for a delicious Asian-inspired pork and noodle dish that is bursting with flavor.

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Rhubarb season is here in our region and we love using it in many ways. Rhubarb is generally used in desserts like pies and crisps, but it also works well in savory dishes like this one.

 

This meal is bursting with so many flavors from the hot and sour rhubarb sauce. Rhubarb provides the sour flavor in this hot and sour sauce. In addition to the rhubarb, the sauce contains garlic, ginger, honey, brown sugar, jalapeno, and Chinese five spice powder. 

 

If you've never used five spice powder, it is a blend of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, and pepper (Sichuan or sometimes white pepper). It adds so much flavor to dishes. 

 

If you want a less hot sauce, leave out the jalapeno and substitute a pinch of red pepper flakes instead. Then serve it with Sriracha so that those who like their food to have more heat can add it to their serving.

The pork and sauce for this recipe are cooked in the slow cooker for tender and flavorful pork. When the pork is finished cooking, it is lightly stir fried while the sauce thickens to get a bit of extra color and flavor on the meat. 

Fresh Asian-style noodles are used here, but you can use dry noodles like a fettuccine, Udon noodles, and any other long and flat noodle. Fresh noodles cook up quickly, and dry noodles with take a little more time. 

 

You can use rice instead of noodles if you prefer as well. White rice, Jasmine rice, brown rice, or Basmati rice would all work well in this dish.

This dish is topped with fresh cilantro, fresh mint, green onions, and radish slices for more color, flavor, and textures. Fresh lime wedges are squeezed on top as well for a burst of fresh citrus flavor.

This is a delicious and unique meal to make this rhubarb season. If you love Asian style dinners, this is one to try.

If you are looking for even more rhubarb recipe ideas, check out this post of 25 Rhubarb Recipes that aren't Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

Yield: about 4 servings

Author: Amy (Savory Moments)

Hot and Sour Rhubarb Pork and Noodles

Tangy rhubarb is used to make a hot and sour sauce for a delicious Asian-inspired pork and noodle dish that is bursting with flavor.

Ingredients

• about 1.5 lbs. of boneless pork shoulder or pork roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1-1/2 cups roughly chopped rhubarb
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 jalapeno, roughly chopped (remove seeds for lower heat)
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• coconut or vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 lb. fresh Asian style noodles (or any long flat noodle)
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 3-4 radishes, thinly sliced
• cilantro, roughly chopped
• mint, thinly sliced
• lime wedges

Instructions

1. Trim away any excess fat on the pork cubes and place it in a slow cooker. Add the rhubarb through five-spice powder to a food processor and puree until smooth. Stir into the pork. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
2. When the pork is tender and cooked, remove it from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate. Leave the lid off the slow cooker and turn it up to high to thicken the rhubarb sauce.
3. Heat about two tablespoons of oil in a wok or heavy bottom skillet. Add the pork and cook, stirring often, until it is browned and slightly crispy.
4. In the meantime, cook the noodles in salted boiling water. Fresh noodles will only take a few minutes to cook (it will take longer if you are using dried).
5. When they are al dente, drain, return to the pot, and stir in a couple tablespoons of the rhubarb sauce to keep the noodles from sticking.
6. Place a couple scoops of noodles on each plate. Top with the pork, scallions, radishes, cilantro, and mint. Serve with extra rhubarb sauce and lime wedges.

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The recipe has been adapted from Jamie Oliver's Jamie at Home cookbook. 

I hope you give this hot and sour rhubarb pork and noodles a try! Let me know in the comments below.

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This post was originally published in 2013 and has been updated in 2023 with a recipe card, new text, and more to improve reader experience. 

Check out these other rhubarb recipes:  

Old-fashioned Magic Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Rhubarb Lemonade

Chocolate Chip Rhubarb Brownies

Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars