Take your sandwich game to the next level with this Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich! Made with slow-cooked tender pork slathered in a gochujang sauce, served on buttery brioche buns with kimchi mayo, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs. This hearty and fresh sandwich is packed with bold flavors, combining savory, spicy, and tangy elements that make it irresistible. Perfect for weeknight meals, entertaining, or a delicious lunch!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Korean Pulled Pork:

2 ½ lbs pork butt (pork shoulder or Boston butt)
¼ cup chicken stock
3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce

For the Quick Pickled Vegetables:

½ cup julienned carrots
½ cup sliced cucumbers
½ cup julienned daikon radish
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 pinch salt

For the Sandwich Fillings:

4 brioche buns, buttered
Kimchi mayo (to taste)
Fresh cilantro (to taste)
Fresh mint (to taste)

Directions

Cook the Pork:
Add the pork butt, chicken stock, gochujang, honey, and soy sauce to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours until the pork is tender and can easily be shredded with forks. (Optional: reduce the cooking liquid to make a thicker gochujang BBQ sauce).
Pickle the Vegetables:
In a medium bowl, combine the carrots, cucumbers, and daikon radish. In a small saucepan, bring the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil. Pour the liquid over the vegetables and stir. Let them sit and pickle, stirring occasionally.
Toast the Buns:
Butter the cut side of the brioche buns and toast them in a pan over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes until golden.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
Spread a generous amount of kimchi mayo on the bottom bun. Top with the shredded Korean pulled pork, pickled vegetables, and fresh cilantro and mint. Close the sandwich and serve immediately.

Nutrients (Per serving, estimated)

Calories: 460
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 48g
Fat: 15g
Sodium: 900mg
Sugar: 8g
Cholesterol: 137mg
Fiber: 1g

Why You’ll Love This Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich

Deliciously Balanced Flavors: The tender pulled pork is slathered in a rich gochujang sauce that brings the right amount of heat and depth. Combined with the pickled vegetables and creamy kimchi mayo, this sandwich offers a complex, satisfying flavor profile that you won’t find in a typical pulled pork sandwich.
Easy and Convenient: This recipe uses a slow cooker for the pork, making it a hands-off meal that requires minimal effort. Simply let the slow cooker do the work, and you’ll have a sandwich that’s ready to impress.
Customizable Toppings: The sandwich is topped with fresh cilantro and mint, but feel free to adjust the herbs or add extras like sliced jalapeños or crunchy peanuts for more texture and flavor.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a casual family meal, or an easy lunch, this Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich is sure to please a crowd.
Hearty Yet Fresh: The combination of slow-cooked pork and crunchy pickled vegetables makes this sandwich filling without feeling overly heavy.

The Star of the Sandwich: Slow-Cooked Pork

The pulled pork in this sandwich is the foundation of all the flavor. By using pork butt (or pork shoulder), this recipe ensures that the meat becomes incredibly tender after slow cooking. When cooked for hours, the pork takes on a melt-in-your-mouth texture, making it easy to shred and perfect for sandwiches.

The slow cooker method is key in making the pork perfectly tender and flavorful. The combination of gochujang, soy sauce, honey, and chicken stock creates a rich, savory marinade that infuses the meat with a perfect balance of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. The gochujang, a Korean chili paste, is essential in creating the signature heat of the dish. It brings not only spice but also a deep umami flavor that pairs beautifully with the pork.

Pickled Vegetables: A Tangy Contrast to the Rich Pork

One of the defining features of a Korean-inspired dish is the balance of flavors, and the pickled vegetables in this sandwich provide the perfect contrast to the rich, savory pork. The sweet and tangy pickling liquid made from rice vinegar, sugar, and salt works to soften and brighten up the vegetables while adding a refreshing crunch.

The vegetables in this sandwich—carrots, cucumbers, and daikon radish—are perfectly suited for pickling. The crunchy texture of the carrots and cucumbers, combined with the slightly peppery, mild flavor of daikon radish, creates a wonderful combination that helps cut through the richness of the pork. These pickled veggies bring an additional layer of flavor, adding an element of freshness and tang that makes each bite even more satisfying.

Kimchi Mayo: Creamy, Spicy, and Tangy

The kimchi mayo is another highlight of this sandwich, offering a creamy base that balances out the spiciness from the gochujang. Kimchi, the Korean fermented vegetable dish, is known for its spicy, tangy, and umami flavors, and when combined with mayo, it transforms into a delicious, creamy spread. The richness of the mayo adds a smooth texture to the sandwich, complementing the heat of the pork and the tang of the pickled veggies.

The kimchi mayo also brings an additional layer of flavor to the sandwich. Its slightly fermented taste enhances the overall flavor profile and provides just the right amount of creaminess without being too heavy. This spread is essential in bringing all the elements of the sandwich together and adding depth to each bite.

The Brioche Bun: Soft, Buttery, and Perfectly Toasted

A sandwich is only as good as its bread, and for this recipe, brioche buns are the ideal choice. Their soft, pillowy texture and buttery flavor complement the tender pulled pork and creamy kimchi mayo. The slightly sweet undertone of the brioche adds a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spicy heat of the pork and the tangy pickled veggies.

To elevate the sandwich, the brioche buns are buttered and toasted to a golden brown, adding a slight crispiness that provides contrast to the soft filling. The toasted buns help hold everything together and ensure the sandwich doesn’t become soggy, even with the juicy, flavorful filling.

How to Serve Korean Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich is perfect for serving in a variety of ways:

For a Casual Meal: Serve the sandwiches with crispy fries, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges for a satisfying and hearty meal.
For a Lighter Option: Pair the sandwiches with a simple side salad or coleslaw to add some extra crunch and freshness.
For Entertaining: Serve the sandwiches at your next party or casual get-together, along with a variety of side dishes, such as kimchi, roasted vegetables, or Asian slaw.
As a Make-Ahead Meal: Make the pulled pork ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, toast the buns, add the filling, and enjoy a quick and easy meal.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This sandwich is a great meal prep option and can be easily stored for later:

Leftover Pulled Pork: Store the pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the pork in a skillet with some of its juices or microwave it until hot.
Buns: For best results, store the brioche buns separately at room temperature to keep them soft. Toast them again before serving.
Pickled Veggies: The pickled vegetables can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and can be used for future sandwiches or salads.

Variations and Customizations

This recipe is incredibly flexible, and you can customize it based on your preferences:

Different Meats: Swap the pulled pork for shredded chicken, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
Extra Heat: If you like your sandwiches spicier, add extra gochujang or some sliced fresh chilies to the pulled pork or the kimchi mayo.
Additional Toppings: Add avocado slices, pickled jalapeños, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Korean-Inspired Sauces: Use gochujang mayo, spicy kimchi sauce, or even a drizzle of soy sauce-based glaze to elevate the sandwich.

Why This Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich is a Must-Try

Bold and Flavorful: The combination of gochujang, kimchi mayo, and pickled vegetables creates a unique and exciting flavor profile that sets this sandwich apart from others.
Customizable: Easily adaptable to suit your taste preferences, this sandwich can be made with a variety of proteins, toppings, and sauces.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, entertaining guests, or craving a flavorful lunch, this sandwich fits any occasion.
Hearty and Satisfying: The tender pulled pork, fresh toppings, and soft brioche bun come together to create a meal that’s both filling and comforting.

Conclusion

The Korean Pulled Pork Sandwich is a delicious and creative twist on the traditional pulled pork sandwich. With its savory, spicy, and tangy flavors, it offers a completely new way to enjoy a beloved dish. The slow-cooked pork paired with kimchi mayo, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs creates a perfectly balanced, satisfying sandwich that’s sure to become a favorite in your home.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or simply craving something flavorful, this sandwich will not disappoint. Try this recipe today and elevate your sandwich game with the bold, irresistible flavors of Korean-inspired pulled pork!

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