534756 Wed Jul 02 07:41:10 -0700 2008 10 18 Manhattan 0 3832668 Any advice on decent places to find whole pork belly w/o paying a fortune? Wed Jul 02 07:41:11 -0700 2008 172063 aaaaa 1 3833268 Flying Pigs Farm at the Union Square Greenmarket. Wed Jul 02 10:37:10 -0700 2008 3832668 126803 rrems 2 3833609 At $9/lb, I'd kind of classify that as being on the pricey side. I think the cheapest place to get it is in Chinatown. The Bayard market that MMRuth mentions is good. And I haven't gotten pork belly there but there's huge turnover at Deluxe Market. And I believe both places sell it at under $3/lb. Wed Jul 02 12:05:26 -0700 2008 3833268 10763 Miss Needle 3 3833934 Under $3 a pound sounds very attractive, but I wonder how the quality compares, and is that the price with or without the bones? I have no idea how much the bones weigh. The pork that FPF sells, not just belly but chops and roasts, is the best I have ever had, and since a pound of belly will serve at least 2 people I don't think it is expensive at all. Wed Jul 02 13:46:22 -0700 2008 3833609 126803 rrems 4 3834312 The price has bones, but the bones are very minimal -- perhaps less than 5% of the pork belly by weight. True, Flying Pigs belly does taste superior but as the OP was looking for pork belly without paying a fortune, the $3 sounded a lot more attractive than the $9. The Chinatown pork belly is still pretty good (at least the Bayard one). But, you're right -- Flying Pigs is better. Have you found a place that sells Niman Ranch pork belly in Manhattan? On their website they only sell it in 8-9 lb packages. I'm just looking to buy a couple of pounds. Wed Jul 02 15:24:59 -0700 2008 3833934 10763 Miss Needle 5 3835031 Jefferson Market has Niman Ranch pork, but I have not seen belly there. I'm sure they could get it for you. I've only had Niman pork chops, but the problem I have is they are too lean, just as most pork is today. You need to get heritage pork, such as Berkshire, Tamworth (which is what Flying Pigs has) or Gloucester Old Spot to get proper marbling and rich flavor. With today's "fat is bad" mentality, the big commercial pig breeders are going for lean, which means dry and tasteless. Wed Jul 02 19:57:26 -0700 2008 3834312 126803 rrems 6 3867707 Whole Foods Tribeca also carries Niman Ranch pork belly (no bone), at $4.99/lb. I just made Momofuku pork buns using the pork belly I got there and Chang's recipe. It was so delicious that I surprised myself! Mon Jul 14 12:15:17 -0700 2008 3835031 54254 kobetobiko 7 3867798 Thanks kobe! Mon Jul 14 12:38:15 -0700 2008 3867707 10763 Miss Needle 1 3833323 I've bought pork belly (on the bone) in Chinatown on Bayard. I've not bought pork belly from Flying Pigs Farm, but when I've inquired on occasion, they are often out, but you can contact them ahead of time and ask them to save you some. I do think they are expensive generally - but great pork! Wed Jul 02 10:52:45 -0700 2008 3832668 10985 MMRuth 1 3867483 I was able to pick some up at the new Whole Foods in Tribeca over the weekend! Mon Jul 14 11:14:51 -0700 2008 3832668 209678 pritsana 2 3867658 I have purchased pork belly at numerous Chinatown markets, including Deluxe Market. The quality is reasonably good, but I'm sure its not as good as Flying Pigs. Another place is Han Ah Reum, the Korean supermarket on 32nd Street. They have good quality pork, but the belly is usually sliced. It may be whole too, but i'm not sure. Mon Jul 14 12:03:16 -0700 2008 3867483 133662 SamScaff