Sarawakian Local Delights : Lemon Grass Belly Pork

Lemon Grass Belly Pork

Lemon Grass Belly Pork is a special indigenous dish in Sarawak. 

Lemon Grass is health giving, fragrant and tasty in the first place. Easily grown in the farms and by the longhouse, it is an aromatic used by Iban women for most of their meat dishes, which may be wild exotic meat or domesticated poultry or pork. Perhaps like what many people have declared, lemon grass should be used instead of Aji-no-moto or MSG.

The health benefits of lemongrass include relief from stomach disorders, insomnia, repiratory disorders, fever, aches, infections, reheumatism and edema. It is said to help maintain optimum cholesterol levels, nervous system ,healthy skin and immune system. It is also effective in treating diabetes, cancer and obesity.

This belly pork dish is very wholesome and delicious especially when a fragrant soy sauce is used. When a pig is slaughtered to welcome visitors, the belly pork is definitely cooked in this way. A large pot is used for its cooking and a second or third reheating during the day or over the next one or two days only increases the flavour and texture of the pork.

It is truly a longhouse signature dish. Nowadays, it is has come to the city.

It goes a long way and many people would cheerfully say, "Two bowls of rice please!!"