Rich braised pork knuckle with meltingly tender meat and glossy sauce is a celebration showpiece. A high protein, family banquet dish with bold flavor.
Pat the pork knuckle dry and sear it on all sides in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until well-browned, about 8 minutes.
Remove pork, reduce heat to medium, and sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Return pork knuckle to the pot. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine, star anise, black pepper, and salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
Pour in just enough water to cover the knuckle. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cover tightly.
Simmer for 2 hours until pork is meltingly tender and the sauce is glossy; rotate pork halfway through to ensure even braising. Rest 10 minutes before serving.