Heat for tablespoons of oil in a wok over a high heat, then turn down to medium heat and crack in one egg. Gently shallow-fry, moving the egg around to prevent it from sticking, and spoon the hot oil over it for crispy edges. Cook until whites are firm but yolk is still runny. Carefully lift out the egg, put it on a warmed plate and cover with foil. Fry the other eggs in the same way and keep them warm while cooking the pork.

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic with the bird's-eye chillies and salt.

Add the remaining oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add in eschalots and stir-fry for a minute, then add the garlic and chillies, quickly frying until fragrant (use more oil if you need to). Add the pork, stir-fry for a few minutes until excess liquid has evaporated and pork begins to brown, then add beans and red chillies and stir-fry for another two minutes.

Add the fish sauce and sugar to taste, being careful not to make it too salty. Add the stock or water and simmer briefly (don't let it boil, or the meat will toughen and too much liquid will evaporate - there should be enough to form a sauce). Stir in the basil and as soon as it is wilted, remove from the heat.

Place a fried egg on top of each serving, with steamed rice on the side.