Cola-braised pork

Cola-braised pork is a popular Chinese home-style dish where pork belly is slow-cooked in a mixture of cola, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. The cola acts as both a sweetener and tenderizer, creating a rich, glossy, and deeply savory-sweet glaze. It is a modern variation of traditional red-braised pork, widely enjoyed across China.

🍳 View the full Cola-braised pork recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in fat and protein due to the pork belly, with significant carbohydrates from the cola and sugar. A typical serving provides a substantial amount of calories, along with key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins from the meat.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	520 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbs	28 g
Fat	36 g
Fiber	0.5 g
Sugar	22 g
Sodium	850 mg
Iron	2.8 mg
Zinc	4.5 mg
Vitamin B12	1.2 mcg
Selenium	18 mcg
Phosphorus	180 mg
Niacin (B3)	6.5 mg
Potassium	320 mg
Vitamin B6	0.4 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it represents a creative fusion of Western ingredients (cola) with classic Chinese braising techniques, becoming a beloved comfort food. Nutritionally, while delicious, the combination of fatty meat and sugary soda makes it an indulgent treat rather than an everyday health food.