CRISPY TAIWANESE PORK CUTLETS

Crispy Taiwanese Pork Cutlets image

Provided by Lisa Cheng Smith

Yield 8 small servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 (½"-thick) boneless pork loin chops (about 1 lb.)
⅓ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy paste
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp. freshly ground white pepper (optional)
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. Five-Spice Powder
1½ cups Chinese sweet potato starch
Vegetable oil (about 3 cups; for frying)
Gochugaru (fine Korean red pepper powder; for serving; optional)
Special Equipment:
A deep-fry thermometer

Steps:

Working one at a time, place pork chops on a cutting board and use the back of a cleaver or heavy chef's knife to pound meat, moving knife back and forth across the surface, to ⅛"-¼" thick. The surface will be jagged and textured.
Whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, soy paste, sugar, black pepper, white pepper (if using), cinnamon, Five-Spice Powder, and ⅓ cup water in a large bowl. Add pork chops and turn to coat well. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
Remove pork from marinade and pat dry. Place sweet potato starch in a large shallow dish. Working one at a time, dredge pork in starch to coat well on both sides; shake off excess and transfer to a plate.
Clip thermometer to the side of a large skillet or pot and pour in oil to come ½" up sides. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches, fry pork until just golden, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let drain.
Repeat process, frying pork a second time until deep golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. Return to rack and let cool slightly.
Transfer pork to a cutting board; slice into strips. Arrange in a single layer on a platter; sprinkle with gochugaru if using.