National Bacon Lover’s Day 2018: Pork Belly Isn’t Bacon

Another year, another social media “holiday”. Though at least this is one I can get really behind.

Bacon was the first thing I started blogging about almost a decade ago, and while I agree that it’s seen moments of bastardization (looking at you, Bacon Soda), I still believe it’s one of the best meats around.

And don’t get me started on flabby, hammy bacon. I like my bacon bordering on burnt. Someone once asked me for my thoughts on this once…

So I went on a little rant about it…

And that’s that. No offense to England either but when you come at me with crap like that, I’m going to fire back. Plus, this was quite a few years ago and they’ve stepped up their game in the food world from what I understand. BUT I digress. Now that you’ve read that, you’ll understand rant #2 for National Bacon Lover’s Day. It’s about pork belly. And how I really don’t like it. Cue gasp.

Here’s the issue: it’s not bacon. Bacon is crispy. Bacon is wonderful. Bacon saves sandwiches from being sad and boring. Pork belly could double as the insides of that camel-creature that Han Solo slices open in The Empire Strikes Back. It’s sinewy. It’s gelatinous. It’s NOT BACON. Have I had variations of it that are good? Yes, of course. Some chefs are brilliant and know how to cook it properly and make it palatable, but for the most part, I find it unappealing. And people assume that because I love bacon, then I must love pork belly.

Here’s where I got some good pork belly though, and where you can too, if you’re into that sort of thing:

These are all on a similar list from Foursquare, if you want to check that out too.

And here’s how I would prefer to eat my ramen on most days:

That’s a Skinny Pig original recipe right there, complete with 7-minute egg eyes and an edamame mohawk. Because I’m mature.

Happy Bacon Lover’s Day to all and to all a good night.

xo

TSP