Many people who have never heard of this cut may be wondering, “What is pork bung?” Pork bung isn’t as well known as some other meat cuts, and it hasn’t been rebranded as much as sweetbreads, which are actually tender pieces of the pancreas or thymus gland. To get right to the point, pork bung comes from a pig’s intestines, specifically the rectum. People sometimes call pork bung and pork chitterlings the same thing, but pork chitterlings come from the small intestines and pork bung comes from the large intestines.
Utilizing the whole animal to avoid waste and create inspired dishes has been called nose-to-tail eating. It sounds trendy, but really, it is a throwback to how cooking has always been done. It’s been a long time since people in the US and around the world only ate tenderloins and chicken cutlets. Some of these dishes are widely accepted. Some examples are pâté (chilled whipped livers) from France, haggis (a savory pudding made with sheep offal) from Scotland, morcilla (blood sausage) from Spain, and menudo (stomach lining soup) from Mexico. If you buy sausage or pepperoni in a natural casing, the filling is stuffed into intestines. The filling can be made up of different kinds of animal parts.
If you cook pork bung the right way, it can be delicious. The inside is fatty and creamy, and the outside begs to be fried in a deep fryer. It has textural intrigue and a pleasant gaminess that makes you want to have another taste.
Pork bung is definitely not the pale pink cellophane-wrapped cut of meat you’ll find at your local grocery store. You won’t see pork bung elegantly sauced and served at a fancy French bistro. So what exactly is pork bung? Put simply pork bung is the rectum or final portion of a hog’s digestive tract.
The term “bung” is more commonly used when referring to wine barrels. The bunghole is the hole on the side of a barrel where wine can be drained out. So the word “bung” became poetically tied to any hole used for emptying things. And that’s exactly what pork bung is – the hog’s emptying hole.
While the origins of pork bung may seem unappealing, it is enjoyed as a food around the world, much like other odd bits of offal. Even if you’re convinced you’d never eat pork bung, you may have actually tried it without realizing
Is Pork Bung Safe to Eat?
Knowing that pork bung comes from a hog’s rectum can make you wonder – how could something so tied to feces and defecation be safe to eat? Just like any other meat, it comes down to thorough cleaning and sanitation.
Once removed from the hog, pork bung needs to be washed multiple times in clean water to remove all traces of feces. It’s then soaked in a diluted vinegar solution for an hour before being boiled for 10 minutes to sanitize it. Only after this meticulous process is it ready for cooking.
It’s also helpful to remember that pork bung is an organ meat or offal. Like other organs involved in digestion, it has a characteristic gamey, ammonia-like taste. But with proper cleaning, it is absolutely safe to eat.
Pork Bung vs Sausage Casings vs Chitterlings
If you’re convinced you’d never eat pork bung, you may have had it without realizing. Sausage casings made from natural pork are from a hog’s small intestine. Only the submucosa layer is used, as it’s high in collagen for strength when stuffed and cooked.
Pork bung is different in that it’s not just one intestinal layer, but the whole rectum including mucous membranes and muscles. Also, the submucosa for casings comes from the small intestine, while pork bung is from the large intestine.
Chitterlings or chitlins are another hog intestine dish, but also come from the small intestine, not the rectum like pork bung. However, pork bung and chitterlings do have very similar preparation methods, adding to the confusion.
How to Cook Pork Bung
Once thoroughly cleaned and boiled, pork bung can be prepared in many ways. A basic method used in many recipes is to braise it in liquid for 1-2 hours. This tenderizes the tough muscles and connective tissues. Aromatics like mirepoix, thyme, ginger, soy sauce or star anise can be added.
After braising, pork bung should be tender but still a bit chewy, with a rich offal flavor. It can be sliced into rings or chunks and simply served with a sauce for dipping. Or it can be added to noodles, tacos or other dishes.
Filipino Pork Bung Recipes
Those still hesitant about pork bung may appreciate the Filipino way of preparing it. Americans often don’t love overly chewy or slippery textures, but do love crispy, crunchy foods.
Enter bagbagis – pork intestine sliced, deep fried and crispy on the outside while still a bit chewy within. Served with a Filipino spicy vinegar, these nuggets make a tasty snack.
For the grill, Filipinos skewer pork bung and barbecue it. Before grilling, it’s rubbed with spices like black pepper, cumin and garlic powder. While cooking, it’s basted in a glaze of banana ketchup, sugar and vinegar for amazing flavor.
Pork Bung Stir Fry
If the idea of just eating plain pork bung is unappealing, incorporate it into a larger, boldly flavored dish. It makes a great addition to a Szechuan stir fry.
After the initial braise, quickly stir fry pork bung slices with onions, peppers, chilis, pickled Szechuan greens, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and rice wine. Finish with a squirt of sriracha or dollop of sambal oelek if you like things spicy.
Where to Buy Pork Bung
Since pork bung isn’t common in American supermarkets, use this as a chance to explore international markets. Asian, Mexican, Korean and Chinese markets often have unusual cuts like pork bung. Ask the butcher if you don’t see it.
If you lack access to international grocers, ask your regular butcher about ordering it. And you can always find it online from specialty meat purveyors.
Cooking Tips for Pork Bung
Here are some top tips for preparing and cooking pork bung:
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Clean thoroughly and sanitize by boiling before cooking. This kills bacteria and removes unpleasant textures.
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Braise in flavorful liquid as a first step to tenderize. Aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, etc can add flavor.
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Slice braised pork bung into rings, strips or chunks. Thin slices crisps up nicely when fried. Go thicker for grilling.
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Deep fry for delicious crispy exterior with tender, chewy inside. Toss in Filipino spicy vinegar.
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Grill or barbecue pork bung slices threaded on skewers. Baste with sweet, savory glaze.
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Stir fry quickly with bold flavors like Szechuan chilis, pickled greens, garlic, ginger, etc.
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Add sliced pork bung to noodle dishes, fried rice, sandwiches, stews and more.
Health Benefits and Nutrition
Like other organ meats, pork bung is rich in certain vitamins and minerals:
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High in iron, important for blood health and energy levels
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Good source of B vitamins including B12, folate and riboflavin
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Provides selenium, zinc, copper and other trace minerals
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Contains collagen, a protein important for skin, joint and gut health
Of course, pork bung is still quite high in cholesterol and saturated fat. But when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, it can be a very nutritious addition to the table.
Final Thoughts on Pork Bung
While not the most appealing-sounding of ingredients, pork bung has been enjoyed around the world for ages as an nourishing part of hog offal. With proper sanitation and preparation, it can be a tasty, texturally interesting and healthy meat option. So next time you’re at an international grocer, consider picking up some pork bung to experiment with at home. With an open mind and adventurous palate, you may just find you enjoy this odd bit of the pig!
Where can you purchase pork bung?
If you want to try raw pork bung, the best place to do so is at an Asian market. Check the frozen section if they don’t have it fresh. There you can also find other food, like pork bung filled with sweet rice. Mexican and Latin American stores will more than likely carry tripas, which refers to the small intestines.
Some grocery stores, mostly in the south of the US, may sell chitterlings, which are also known as chitlins and are part of the small intestine. The small intestine is worth trying if you can’t find pork bung because it’s cooked the same way, but the large intestine has a completely different taste and texture because it’s fattier and richer. There are also Asian or specialty meat stores online where you can buy pork bung, or you can go to a small-scale butcher shop near you and ask for it. They usually get whole animals and process them, so you can choose from pork bung and any other cuts of offal you want.
How is pork bung prepared?
There were rumors that some rings of crispy fried salt and pepper calamari were not actually calamari, so the name “pork bung” might sound familiar. Interestingly, pork bung is often prepared very similarly — cut into rings and deep-fried. Just like with gizzards and honeycomb tripe, a low and slow cook makes the pork bung tender and is needed before it can be fried.
There are a lot of different sauces and pickled vegetables that go well with crispy pork bung rings. These sauces and vegetables balance out the rich and fatty taste of the offal. Crispy bagbagis is what Filipinos call it, and it is served with sinamak, a spicy coconut vinegar sauce made with garlic, ginger, birds eye chilies, and black peppercorns. Pork bung can be slow-braised or pressure-cooked with spices and then added to soups and stews or fried up in a pan for tacos or stir-fries.
pork bung
FAQ
What does pig bung taste like?
Is pork bung the same as chitterlings?
What is pork bung in English?
Do people eat pork bung?
What is pork Bung used for?
Pork bung can be used as a casing for different types of sausages, including traditional favorites such as Italian sausage, bratwurst, and chorizo. The natural casing provides a unique texture and flavor to the sausages, enhancing the overall eating experience. Is pork bung safe to consume?
What is a pig Bung?
Pork bung is the large, hollowed-out tube that runs along the bottom of a pig’s stomach and small intestine, serving as a kind of valve between the two. It is a part of the gastrointestinal system that is present in most mammals, including humans. In the pig, the bung is used to filter out foreign objects and digest food.
Where can I find pork Bung?
Pork bung is common street food in parts of Asia; so look to Asian meat markets, as well as food halls, to find pork bung — there are also plenty of Pan-Asian markets like H Mart that might have it.
How do you cook pork Bung?
As mentioned, it is eaten the world over, so there are multitudes of options. The most basic way to cook pork bung, and a method many recipes employ before further cooking, is to braise it in water, stock, or another liquid for an hour or two to tenderize the strong muscles and connective tissues of the cut.