How to Cook Bitter Melon

Try two different ways of cooking bitter melon – stir-frying or making a soup with stuffed bitter melon.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: main dish

Cuisine: asian

Keyword: bitter melon stir fry, how to cook bitter melon

Servings: people

Calories: 207kcal

Author: Jovita | Yummy Addiction

Beat the eggs with soy sauce and black pepper and set aside.
Rinse the bitter melon and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds and all white pith. Cut into thin slices.
(Optional) If you want to reduce the bitterness, place the slices in a colander and toss with some salt. Leave for 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the bitter melon and stir fry until it starts to soften. Add the eggs and scramble until cooked to your liking.

Mix the pork, garlic, onion, white pepper, fish sauce and coconut sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
(Optional) Blanch the bitter melons in boiling water for 1 minute to reduce the bitterness. Remove from water and let cool.
Slice the melons crosswise into 1-1½-inch pieces. Using a spoon or a knife, core out the white pith and seeds from all the pieces.
Stuff the pork mixture into each piece. Bring the broth to a boil in a pot and add the stuffed bitter melon pieces. Reduce the heat and simmer 15-20 minutes, until the meat is cooked through and the bitter melon is tender.
Ladle the soup into bowls and add some fish or soy sauce to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with cooked rice on the side.

The stuffed bitter melon recipe is adapted from "The Thai Soup Secret" by Craig Fear.