Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Cucumbers

Name: Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Cucumbers
Ingredients: 1 12-ounce piece skin-on pork belly (about 4x3½x1¼ inches); Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided; 4 chiles de árbol; 2 star anise pods; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 Persian or kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced; 2 scallions, thinly sliced; ½ red chile (such as Fresno or jalapeño), thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar; 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red pepper paste); 3 tablespoons white miso; 1 small head of lettuce (such as Little Gem or romaine hearts), torn; ½ bunch mint; ½ cup kimchi (optional); Gochujang, a mixture of miso and hot chiles, is available at Korean markets and online.