Chinese Bitter Melon Recipe

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Today, we are going to make something special - bitter melon. Have you ever wondered what it is and how to cook it when you see it at the Asian grocery stores? So, I am going to share the easiest recipe that you can cook it - Stir Fry Bitter Melon With Garlic (蒜蓉炒苦瓜)
INGREDIENTS
500 grams of bitter melon
1 tsp of salt to reduce the bitter taste
6-8 pieces of dried red chilies
3-4 pieces of fresh red chilies
3 cloves of garlic
1-2 tbsp of cooking oil
1 tsp of Sichuan peppercorn (Amazon Link - geni.us/tkfqpg)
Salt to taste (I used 3/4 tsp)
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut the bitter melon in half, then quarter it. Remove the white spongy inside part. You can use a rounded teaspoon to scrape the last bits of the white part.
Cut it with a 45-degree angle into 1/3 of an inch thick slices. Season it with 1 tsp of salt. Rub for a few minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Cut some red, dried chilies open and remove the seeds.
Roughly dice some fresh red chilies
Press 5 cloves of garlic through a garlic presser.
Optionally, prepare 1 tsp of Sichuan peppercorns.
Now go back and check out the bitter melon. Squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
Rinse the bitter melon with cold running water several times. Drain it but doesn’t need to be thorough. A little bit of excess water will make sure the garlic doesn’t burn as fast when stir-frying.
Add 1-2 tbsp of oil to the wok along with the Sichuan peppercorns. Turn the heat to low. As the temperature climbs up slowly, the oil will be seasoned with the peppercorn flavor.
Once you see the color of the peppercorns is getting dark, you can take them out and discard them. Turn the heat to medium. Add in the bitter melon, dried chili, fresh chili, and garlic. Stir for a couple of minutes.
Give it a taste and then add the salt to adjust the flavor. Be generous with the salt amount especially if you have never tried bitter melon before because the salt will suppress a little bit of the bitter taste. Give it a final stir and you are done.
Videography / Editing by Austin Schargorodski - austinschargorodski.com/

[@mrsbucket6659]

I am originally from Suriname in South America. We stuff the soporopo with seasoned beef, chicken or fish and than stew it in a gravy. Or I like to stir fry it with dried shrimp or smoked fish with lots of garlic an a touch of sugar and hot sauce or sambal. It is one of my favourite vegetable dishes. With jasmine rice. And it is very good for you. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@a19958029]

Bittermelon rocks! I use to cook it with garlic, ginger, douchi, yellow hot pepper and beef. I had it several ways but the way I had it in chinese restaurants is the one I cook it at home. But I don't rinse it; for me, the bitternes is a must in bittermelon :D

[@aprillomina8232]

Ok, I'm going to try this. Watching this on Father's Day, and my dad was great pals with the produce guys. They turned him on to all the new and different (from middle American) fruits and vegetables. Thanks!!

[@rachelkawaii]

That part about your parents telling you to endure the bitter taste was amazing. My parents just tells me if I eat it more there will come a time when it's not bitter anymore 😂😂😂😂

[@asabifatosin1150]

That’s actually true of some bitter foods like kola nut and orogbo which are eaten in Nigeria and otherAfrican countries. The more you chew it leans into sweetness. Salted umeboshi plums are kind of the same. When you’re ill, they don’t taste salty.

[@georgebartholemew8444]

You're not the only one! Many of us enjoy bitter, pungent, sour, spicy tastes. This does not rule our lives but we can use this to enhance our lives.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

Thanks for this recipe Whenever I see the vegetables in the Asian market, they all look delicious, however I don't know even what they are let alone how to cook them. Maybe you would consider doing a series on how to prepare all the different Asian vegetables. I would truly appreciate that. So next time I'm at the store I'm going to give the bitter melon a try. 😁

[@LT-pp1je]

It’s an acquired taste so be careful. Buy only if you like very bitter foods and I don’t mean kale bitter. Kale is hardly bitter to me.

[@SoupedUpRecipes]

Thank you for the ideas, I will try to make that in the future.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

@@LT-pp1je Hi. I generally enjoy the darkest of the green vegetables. Thanks for the heads up. I'm still going to give it a go. I'll never know unless I try. Maybe I will purchase just one then. ☺

[@dawnrobbins5877]

@@sunflowerbaby1853 to me, it is a similar taste to Epsom Salts. It's beyond bitter! If prepared correctly, the astringent properties seem to fade and the dish is quite edible. I must say that no one wants a second helping in my house!

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

@@dawnrobbins5877 Ok. 😁 With two of you commenting I believe you. It's really bitter. I'll skip it. I appreciate you saving me the time of cooking it only to be disappointed. ☺

[@jeanlow129]

Love it with scrambled eggs. My husband’s aunt introduced me to it.

[@evanschneider7123]

Love, love, love bitter melon! I like to slice it into rings after removing seeds and let the rings soak in milk. Then I make a tempura batter and deep fry them. Totally not a traditional way to prepare it, but my Chinese friend in China love it like this.

[@wendyyap7852]

I like the wok you're using. Is it non stick ...can cook crab 🦀 ! Can I hv the name for it ...tks

[@KOREAMOM]

*Hi~~From Korea* *We also have bitter melon, but I've never had it for food, but for facial washing~~* 우리는 저것을 여주라고부르는데 세안용으로 쓰지만 볶아먹는것은 처음봐요 참 신기하네요^^👍👍👍🥒🥒🥒

[@yongkyeonglee5736]

for skin?

[@KOREAMOM]

@@yongkyeonglee5736 yha

[@joypolk3093]

Thank you for this recipe, I’ve seen the bitter melon in my local Asian store but had no idea how to use it. Will make a nice side dish.

[@TobaccoPipesJapan]

I love it! My family eats it every week in the summer. Full of vitamin C. I like to stirfry it with beef, baby corn a little brown sugar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. If you follow the "Souped Up Recipes" chef instructions of soaking it, you'll have no worries.

[@raphaelsanluis9711]

It looks nice .

[@kupsingh]

A co-worker of my wife gave her some fresh bitter melon from her garden. I've seen bitter melon in Asian markets before but had absolutely no idea how to prepare it. Fortunately, I came across your recipe, Mandy, and it turned out to be very tasty! I love a little bitterness in vegetable dishes, and the paring of the garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and chiles was a great combination.

[@sandeepdewan1920]

try sweet and saur. recipe or Indian pickled guard if you can get hold of , both recipe is devine

[@carolineindacityphx]

​@@sandeepdewan1920 that's the kind I used to eat. Spicy fried bitter gourd.

[@JoySpringer-ec5qt]

5Ų

[@JoySpringer-ec5qt]

5:18 😅890pĺm6?3

[@lurlinemagdoza2350]

We grow bitter melon in our backyard garden every spring and harvest fruits summertime through fall.

[@VladimirSutinovski]

Omg this plant is amazing! I see it every day in my local Chinese grocery and I decided to google the preparation. I followed your video to the T and I have to say I am in love with Bitter Mellon, and I love your video too. Thank you so much ❤ By the way I am Macedonian living in Australia so this was the first time I had the pleasure of having this vegetable. Thumbs way up!

[@franklinchinquee4293]

My family, Hakka, came from Canton City in China more than a hundred years ago and ended up in Jamaica. We never squeezed the juice or cooked bitter melon (foogah) alone. It was always with pork. And yes, as a child I hated it, but as I got older I started to appreciate the bitter taste. I still oftentimes cook it with pork as pork has a characteristic sweetness, and really enjoy. In Jamaica, there is a native kind called cerasee. It's much smaller and not eaten. But I used to suck on the ripe red seeds. Thanks bunches.

[@tayafabijanic8044]

Thank you for this great recipe. I ended up omitting the chilli and putting in ginger as well as I also made a Szechuan eggplant dish. These two complemented each other well. So a big thank you. Easy to make and delicious. Can't wait to make it again.

[@anthonycannatajr9482]

I was at the greengrocer the other day and bought some bitter melon because I remembered watching this video before. I have all the ingredients and can't wait to prepare. My melon is bring salted right now... more later.

[@silverdollar1921]

A Pakistani Friend of mine stir fries them along with ground beef and fresh green chilies... Kinda like a curry. Yummy. I have too try your way as i don't know what bitter melon tastes like on its own.

[@sheriemirza6988]

Yep! A well loved summer season veg for Pakistanis. Called "karela". We cook it with meat, mince, or just on its own.

[@Francisco_Manos]

I bought this melon recently in San Francisco (yesterday) not knowing how to make it and your video was the first one that came up on my search, Thank You! I'm looking forward to making this tonight after work.

[@JamieRoberts77]

I LOVE bitter! I have seen this the Asian grocery store but never knew what it was! I’m making this tomorrow after I pick some up! Many thanks, Mandy!

[@MSGC55]

Was wondering if you ever got around to cooking bitter melon and if so, what did it taste like and did you enjoy it? - much appreciated - Cheers

[@catalhuyuk7]

I see bitter melon in the grocery store all the time and think I’d like to try it. Now I will. Thanks Mandy

[@souls4totalfreedom816]

I love your energy!! Thank you so much for this video and information!!

[@katenaerobbins3129]

no you are not the only one… my grandma(filipina from cebu) would cook this… as a child i thought it was too bitter too but this recipe will bring me back to thinking of her and it is simple. thank you -ker

[@shoshana7412]

I’m making this tomorrow. I have all the ingredients already. Thank you for sharing.

[@fujiyokocookiecutter]

Thank you for doing these videos. I appreciate it so much.

[@walterwalden1587]

Thank you for posting.

[@nobody04knows02]

Thank you so much for your recipe! I've always seen bitter melon at the store but wasn't sure how to enjoy the best out of it. Thanks to you, now I have a new recipe I will try out. I can't wait!!

[@cookingwithemmi7600]

You can stir fry garlic, add sliced bittermelon, cook for few minutes the pour beaten eggs on top, stir fry on medium heat, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper and a little of fish sauce. Delicious!!!!

[@handshakeguy2562]

you are so detailed orientated that i love.

[@chaoscolby]

One of my favourite vegetable!! The funny thing is I like it since I was a kid haha.

[@toastrecon]

Looks so good! I’ll try to find bitter melon today.

[@clohanmom]

You're not weird. You are, like me, growing up Asian... LOL! So we're used to the taste and overtime, come to love it! I love bitter melon so much, I can eat it any day. This and bamboo shoots, they are my absolute favorites.

[@truthtriumphant5503]

Started growing bitter melon this year for medicinal purposes....and needed a good way to cook...thanks ...exciting about trying. Grows easily...and looks beautiful in the garden.

[@farhorizons3901]

Watched this video to learn how to prepare this vegetable and learned some great tips - thanks!

[@Ahay143]

Thank you for your video. I just bought bitter Mellon from the farmers market today. I will try your recipe tomorrow. 😊

[@adamkurniawan6156]

I love it when it's stir fried with a little dried shrimp

[@beckychacon9922]

Hi I made Bitter Melon as per your recipe and served it as a side with Taro steamed ribs and it came out delicious and quite complimentary to the richness of ribs and taro. Will be making this again for sure. Thank you!!!!!!!! Rebecca

[@cileft011]

it took a long time for me to get used to bitter melon, but now i look forward to drinking bitter melon soup with pork bone every summer!

[@garygeller6177]

Oh my! Bitter Melon was the only dish my mother-in-law made for me in the Caribbean that I couldn't stomach! I only knew it as Ugly Fruit. I will try it ONCE more using your recipe and see how it goes. 😁

[@nasreenfatima4085]

I will try that recipe Thank you for sharing it

[@SuiLiF]

Bittermelon is my favorite. I eat it often. I grew up with my dad cooking it several ways. 😋

[@maylendiaz3134]

My husband did that with eggs end tomatoes y more ingredients and is so delicious 🤤

[@ambersykora352]

I'm excited I've been wanting to grow it but wasn't sure how to prepare it. I'm all set now.

[@elab2866]

I am going to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing your video 🙏

[@lakshmiganesan3585]

Looks very nice ok today I am going cook thanks for this video ❤

[@jimdrennan8591]

One of my favorites, cooked with salty garlic black bean. I will now try your recipe. Thanks.

[@walden6272]

Yes. Cooked with salty garlic black bean and throw in some ground beef or pork, it will be delicious.

[@karengrace6890]

I appreciate you so much for sharing these foods with us

[@riverdreams9510]

I love it!

[@khadijaihsainiten8073]

Thank you your recipe is great

[@fidgetyhuman]

My mom made us eat bitter melon with the white sponge AND seeds since we were young. I used to hate it when I was a kid but you get accustomed to even the most bitter things with time.

[@donnalinton7597]

Thanks a lot for the info ❤️💯

[@Jesusiscomingback]

Your not the only one. I love anything bitter. I need this recipie.

[@rainicascadia5514]

Thank you for this recipe! ♥

[@suzannedesylva3805]

I am so glad for your channel. We have a relatively new Asian market nearby and there are so many veggies and fruit that I do not know how to cook. We are very lucky.

[@joyrasavong3884]

Thank you for sharing this recipe and I love it 😋.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Don't worry it's not weird that you like bitter melon. It's a part of your culture. Each culture and person is different. I love eating different foods from all over the world just to try something new at least once. Asian dishes are among my favorites dishes I've tried and some of them people I know would find them "weird".

[@dy7023]

Love to eat this dish. Now I know how to make it. Thanks!

[@scottymeffz5025]

I have eaten this many different ways and in many different places. I lived in China, the Philippines and Vietnam for around 10 years in total. I also visited Sri Lanka and tried it in all of those places. My favourite bitter melon recipe is to take it out of the bag and throw it directly into the compost or trash because it is the most horrible thing ever to be on my plate. This food is only fit for punishing naughty children lol

[@SoupedUpRecipes]

I thought the same thing when I was little kid. Now I will just say, please throw all your bitter melon to me.

[@scottymeffz5025]

@@SoupedUpRecipes You don't need to worry about me stealing your bitter melons hehehe

[@cynrok]

Lololol

[@coppertropicals]

You win the internet for this comment :D

[@gilcarreon8147]

Thanks for sharing your recipes lov u ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheMariana29]

absolutely delicious ... love it!

[@cassonade8468]

Thank you!

[@Donaldopato]

Love bitter vegetables, bitter melon is wonderful!

[@joygordon-fialkov7600]

Simple and easy to prepare

[@snowball4810]

It delicious to watch you cook, you make all those great foods!👍

[@ErinWolf-rr8ml]

I've never tried Bitter Melon before but I knew it would be a challenge to actually eat it, but for a first time trying it the bitterness grew on me, and I found it hard to stop eating. Thanks for this simple recipe!

[@kasturidevi8271]

It actually called bittegord.

[@vythinathanduraiswamy3430]

Love this recipe because I like bitter melon and your recipe is simple enough even for beginner like me to try!

[@TheChiramu]

My mum always cooked this in red curry, but I've never learned how to cook it myself. Thanks for the information on it :D!

[@mintjestory]

Love bitter melon, thanks for the recipe.

[@echibussy]

My grandma used to stir fry bitter melon with eggs:-) she also stuffed it with the 饺子 filling and sliced it, after that she baked it. And after it’s prepared that way, it’s still bitter, but it’s also very fragrant

[@thenae8572]

This is awesome, thank you! Subbed 😊❤️

[@jasonloke2219]

I love bitter gourd. Thanks for sharing!!

[@rszatmari]

Fabulous, thank you! I have eaten bitter melon; I like it.

[@RandolphChandler]

This is great, I grow and eat bitter melon (qugua) weekly based on a hunan recipe. This is very good for blood sugar!

[@lindatavares2027]

Delicious and bitter. Thank you

[@sophievanderbilt1325]

I like bitter melon! I’ve only had it in Goya chanpuru, and the salty Spam seemed to cut down on the bitter taste. I would definitely give this a try! Thanks for the recipe

[@fionainherkitchen]

I've never seen or heard on it!! Looks delicious though!! Thank you for sharing!

[@linas1287]

very nice story and the cooked bitter melon, I like it.😊

[@nayerehmirmohammadi4785]

Thank you Gita from Canada

[@susieangelo6410]

Thanks Mandy for this Saturday Bonus Recipe. Bitter Melon Soup is good too!

[@SoupedUpRecipes]

I have never had bitter melon soup before. Will try one day.

[@AnthonyTabing]

I also make salad out of it. After slicing the bitter melon, I squeeze lemon or calamansi a filipino citrus. This draws out the bitter juices. I then add, onion, ginger, garlic and tomatoes, to the sliced bitter melon and salt pepper to taste. This is a good side dish for fried meats like fish and pork.

[@cancel1913]

I also enjoy bitter vegetables! ;-) Thank you for the recipe and video.

[@thythyli]

I love bitter melon! My mom use to make a soup with fermented black beans and stuff it with ground pork.

[@Xue_Ying]

That sounds sooo good.

[@noorgareh7557]

Thank you chef very much ❤❤❤❤👍👍👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@15Patriot]

Glad found your channel, and found this simply delicious recipe, as bitter melon is one of my favorite vegetables, now know how to prepare it properly. Enjoys vegetables, and likes to see more simple recipes on how to make vegetables in Sichuan style. Thank You.

[@ruvinienanayakkara496]

Love your presentation s...keep it up

[@judeahcourtney5136]

Can't wait to try this😊

[@raysofsunshine5639]

New to your channel and I love it here! My kids and I have been binge watching your chanel!

[@mimidc7089]

Absolutely love bitter melon so you’re not alone. I’ve known of only two of my friends that love it too

[@SuperMeat83]

I love the bitter melon with eggs and tomatoes is to good.

[@janmariolle]

Yum! Yum!

[@lauranilsen8988]

Thank you for not going on and on. Straight to the point and quick. Looks yummy. I’m weird too. I like bitter things!

[@rajbanskaur1001]

I love your channel. All ur recipes are delicious .👍

[@nkaujnom1255]

Lol Mandy you are not weird! I love bitter melons too!

[@UncleMike131]

Love bitter melon!

[@Anonymous88660]

❤❤❤ thanks for sharing ❤❤❤

[@kylemeyer4266]

I bought kuding tea and i didn't realize you were only supposed to use a couple leaves, I ended up using a heaping teaspoon or so for my cup. Afterwards nothing ever seemed to be as bitter and i love bitter veggies now.

[@zeeshandogar9406]

Great alternative recipe, bitter gourd is very popular in South Asian cuisine, but this method of preparation appears much healthier.

[@barbaragonsalves8301]

Its very delicious, I eat it all the time.😊

[@joethesimple685]

I love bitter melon and it tastes sweet to me. 🤣 We have lots of that in the Philippines and I could make lots of Chinese dishes with it. Thank you for the videos. :)

[@davidhalldurham]

I absolutely love bitter melon!!!!

[@mara1275]

Thank you. Just bought two spikey ones...Im gonna cook this for the First time ever... :)