I used pork boneless ribs because it's tender, it has a meaty part as well as fatty so it was just a perfect match. After tasting and making this dish so many times, I didn't like bacon as regular bacon, so tried to substitute pork belly and bacon with smoked pork jowl which is also very inexpensive. It gives a wonderful taste as well as the aroma. Everything should be cut equally if possible, small cubes as a smaller than a ½ inch. This is my version, however, a friend taught me how doing it her way, and over the years I experimented and this is what my family likes. If you are NOT porking eater substitute with chicken or minced beef. I tried with both... Experimenting with different ingredients always gives you more options to enjoy any dish. If you are NOT meat eater substitute with tofu YES, you can serve black bean sauce over rice!!! Since Black bean paste is quite bitter, it is best not to skip the frying part.