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Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs (咖啡排骨)

written by Marvellina Updated: July 30, 2021
10.1K
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Crispy fried pork ribs are coated in aromatic savory-sweet coffee sauce. They are perfectly sticky and finger-licking good!
Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs (咖啡排骨)
You would think the combination of pork with coffee would be absurd but it is anything but absurd. I’m not even a coffee drinker but this stuff is SOOOO good! The combo works so well. I knew about these coffee pork ribs when I was still in Singapore. Tender pork ribs on the inside with crispy crust on the outside coated with sticky coffee sauce! Need me to say more?
Singapore coffee pork ribs are made famous by celebrity chef Sam Leong. What a genius!

Tips for crispy and tender coffee pork ribs

1. Adding baking soda
The addition of baking soda to the marinate helps the meat to retain moisture and hence the meat will be tender. A little goes a long way. DO NOT add more than what the recipe calls for as too much baking soda can make your meat bitter
2. Marinate for at least 2 hours
You want to allow enough time for the marinade ingredients to penetrate the meat and of course for the baking soda to do what it is supposed to do
3. Fry the ribs twice
There’s no secret that when you fry something twice, it will give you an extra crispy end result. The first frying is to cook the meat and the second is to crisp it up
Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs (咖啡排骨)

How to make Singapore coffee pork ribs

1. Separate the ribs into an individual segment and cut each segment into smaller pieces. I leave mine whole because where I got my pork ribs they don’t cut it for you. Mix all ingredients for the marinade. Rub the marinade all over the ribs. For the best result, you can marinate them in a zipper bag. They will get evenly marinated. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight

2. Take the ribs out from the ribs for about 1 hour before you plan to start cooking them


3. Preheat oil enough for deep frying the ribs. When you put a skewer into the oil, it should sizzle and have lots of bubbles around it. The oil is ready. Fry the ribs in batches. Fry over medium heat until the ribs are cooked through. Remove from the oil and put on absorbent paper towel. Repeat with the rest of the ribs

4. Bring the oil back to hot. Fry the ribs in batches again, starting from the ones you fry first. This round is to crisp up the ribs and it shouldn’t take long. The ribs will have a darker shade of golden brown

5. Remove from oil into the absorbent paper towel. Keep them warm in the oven on a rack

6. Mix all ingredients for coffee sauce in a pan

7. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens (it coats the back of spatula/spoon)

8. Add the fried pork ribs into the sauce and toss to coat. Off the heat. Garnish with some sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Serve immediately

Did you make this recipe?

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Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs (咖啡排骨)

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The recipe is adapted from The MeatMen.

Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs (咖啡排骨)

Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs

Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Marinate ribs: 2 hours hrs
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Please rate the recipe if you have tried it!
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 500 gr Pork ribs

Marinade ingredients:

  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp water
  • 3 Tbsp rice flour
  • 3 Tbsp potato starch not potato flour. See notes

Coffee sauce:

  • 2 packs 3-in-1 instant coffee mix
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp coconut sugar or use light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 Tbsp water
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic

For frying:

  • Cooking oil for deep frying

For garnish:

  • sesame seeds optional
  • 1 stalk green onion finely chopped

Instructions
 

Marinate the ribs:

  • Separate the ribs into an individual segment and cut each segment into smaller pieces. I leave mine whole because where I got my pork ribs they don't cut it for you
  • Mix all ingredients for marinade. Rub the marinade all over the ribs. For the best result, you can marinate them in a zipper bag. They will get evenly marinated. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight

First frying:

  • Take the ribs out from the ribs for about 1 hour before you plan to start cooking them
  • Preheat oil enough for deep frying the ribs. When you put a skewer into the oil, it should sizzle and lots of bubbles around it. The oil is ready. Fry the ribs in batches. Fry over medium heat until the ribs are cooked through. Remove from the oil and put on absorbent paper towel. Repeat with the rest of the ribs

Second frying:

  • Bring the oil back to hot. Fry the ribs in batches again, starting from the ones you fry first. This round is to crisp up the ribs and it shouldn't take long. The ribs will have darker shade of golden brown. Remove from oil into absorbent paper towel. Keep them warm in the oven on a rack

Prepare the coffee sauce:

  • Mix all ingredients for coffee sauce in a pan. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Add the fried pork ribs into the sauce and toss to coat. Off the heat. Garnish with some sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Serve immediately

Marv's Recipe Notes

In the U.S. potato starch and potato flour are different. The starch is well, the starch extracted from potatoes. The flour are made by grinding the whole potatoes. The terms potato starch and potato flour may be used interchangeably if you live in Asia. So please double-check before you use it.

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
352
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
117
mg
39
%
Sodium
 
798
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
394
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Protein
 
16
g
32
%
Vitamin A
 
74
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
42
mg
4
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I'd love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
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4 comments

Connie Mcfarlane July 30, 2021 - 5:43 pm

It says 2 coffee mix. Is it 2 teaspoons?

Reply
Marvellina July 31, 2021 - 7:34 pm

Hi Connie, it’s 2 packs of 3-in-1 instant coffee mix that comes with creamer and sugar.

Reply
Pearl Loh July 30, 2021 - 11:51 am

What do you use the “1 large egg beaten” for

Reply
Marvellina July 30, 2021 - 2:12 pm

It’s for the marinade. I forgot to drag it down into the marinade ingredient list.

Reply

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