Mu krop

Mu krop, or crispy pork belly, is a Thai version of Siu yuk, a dish made of pork belly that has been through the process of intense bristles removal by scraping and washing thoroughly before being cooked. Sometimes they are boiled and then cut into size before adding seasonings, such as salt, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, pepper and other seasoning or herbs like red onion, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and left to be marinated. Then, the marinated pork belly is fried until the rinds are golden and crispy. Further cooking can be done in the oven, but it is optional. Mu krop is then served in pieces without any bristles, and some burnings are acceptable.^[1] The energy from 100 grams of mu krop (7-10 pieces) provides approximately 385-420 calories and 30 grams of fat, according to the Thai Nutrition Bureau, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. Additionally, when crispy pork is on rice, the energy received will increase to 550-600 calories and more when it is stir-fried with oil.^[2] An example of stir-fried dishes with mu krop would be Thai’s famous family of stir-fried called Phat Kaphrao - a main-course dish that incorporates holy basil, or kaphrao (กะเพรา), for its fragrance, spice, and peppery flavor.^[3][4] Other than Phat Kaphrao, mu krop can be stir-fried with curry paste, chili and ginger, added to dishes like Kuay Jab, or simply be enjoyed on plain rice.^[2]