Brown up the pork: Pour the oil into a heavy bottom pot and place it over medium high heat. Once hot toss in the chunks of pork and cook them until they are nicely browned.

Add the garlic and onion to the pot and saute it with the pork for a couple of minutes or until the onions begin to soften.

Make the braising sauce: Add the remaining ingredients (water, soy sauce, vinegar, dark soy sauce, bay leaves, black pepper, & brown sugar) to the pot. Stir everything together until thoroughly incorporated. Let the liquid come to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid.

Simmer it: Let everything simmer with the lid on for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the pork is very tender.

Reduce the sauce: Take the lid off the pot and give everything a good stir. Then let it simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes. Or until the sauce has reduced and become rich and thick.

Taste and adjust: Once the sauce is thick to your liking taste it and adjust if needed. So if you want it to be a bit saltier, then add a pinch or two of salt. If you want it tangier then add a teaspoon of vinegar. If you want it sweeter then add a teaspoon more brown sugar. Or if you’d like it mellower on all accounts just add a splash of water.

Serve the pork adobo over a bowl of rice and enjoy!