Crispy Taiwanese Pork Cutlets

Name: Crispy Taiwanese Pork Cutlets
Ingredients: 2½ 4-long cassia or cinnamon sticks; 20 whole star anise; 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. whole cloves; 20 slices dried sand ginger (optional); 2 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. Sichuan peppercorns; 2½ tsp. sliced dried licorice root or fennel seeds; 1 tsp. black peppercorns; 1 tsp. white peppercorns (optional); 4 ½-thick boneless pork loin chops (about 1 lb.); ⅓ cup soy sauce; ⅓ cup unseasoned rice vinegar; 2 Tbsp. soy paste (such as Yu Ding Xing); 2 tsp. granulated sugar; ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper; ¼ tsp. freshly ground white pepper (optional); ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon; 1½ cups Chinese sweet potato starch; Vegetable oil (about 3 cups; for frying); Gochugaru (fine Korean red pepper powder; for serving; optional); A spice mill or coffee grinder; a deep-fry thermometer