Sweet and sour 'pork' fillet
Sweet and sour 'pork' fillet is a popular Chinese-inspired dish featuring battered and fried fillets (traditionally pork, but often a vegetarian or vegan alternative) tossed in a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce. The sauce typically combines vinegar, sugar, ketchup or tomato paste, and soy sauce, often with bell peppers, pineapple, and onions. It is a staple in Cantonese cuisine and widely adapted in Western Chinese restaurants.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in carbohydrates and fat due to the batter and frying process, with moderate protein content depending on the fillet used. A typical serving provides a significant amount of sugar from the sauce, along with vitamins like vitamin C from the peppers and pineapple, and has a rough calorie ballpark of 400-600 per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg |
| Calcium | 45 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Zinc | 2 mg |
Per 1 typical serving (250 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The 'pork' in vegetarian or vegan versions often uses tofu, seitan, or textured vegetable protein to mimic the texture of meat, making it a popular choice for plant-based diets. Nutritionally, the dish balances sweet and sour flavors, which can stimulate appetite and aid digestion, though it is often high in added sugars and sodium.
