Pork Stir-fry with Bitter Melon (Goya Champroo Style)
Okinawa’s Secret to Longevity – Delicious Bitter Melon and Pork Stir-fry
Bitter melon (Goya) is a vegetable known for its intense bitterness, but it’s packed with natural insulin, making it excellent for managing blood sugar levels. Furthermore, its high momordicin content helps lower cholesterol, and it’s also rich in Vitamin C, calcium, and dietary fiber. This recipe offers a way to enjoy its health benefits without overwhelming bitterness.
Main Ingredients
- Bitter Melon (Goya) 1 piece (approx. 100g)
- Onion 1 medium
- Pork (shoulder or belly recommended) 200g (approx. 2 cups)
- Eggs 2 large
- Cooking oil or sesame oil, a little
- Salt 1 Tbsp (for curing bitter melon)
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Water, as needed
Seasoning
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp (or anchovy sauce)
- Mirin (cooking sake) 2 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp (or anchovy sauce)
- Mirin (cooking sake) 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Choosing fresh bitter melon: Look for ones with fresh stems and prominent, firm bumps. A medium-sized bitter melon typically weighs around 100g.
Step 2
When you cut the bitter melon in half, it should be filled with white seeds and pulp, indicating freshness.
Step 3
The white pith inside is where most of the bitterness resides. Use a spoon or teaspoon to thoroughly scoop out all the seeds and pith. Removing this carefully will significantly reduce the bitterness.
Step 4
Slice the prepared bitter melon thinly, about 5mm thick. Uniform thin slices will help the bitterness leach out better and cook faster.
Step 5
To effectively remove the bitterness, place the sliced bitter melon in a bowl, add 1 Tbsp of salt, and toss to coat evenly. Let it sit for 30 minutes. The salt will draw out moisture and absorb the bitterness.
Step 6
After 30 minutes, discard the salty liquid that has accumulated. Rinse the bitter melon thoroughly under running water to remove all salt. Then, soak the slices in fresh water for 1-2 hours, changing the water once or twice, to further leach out any remaining bitterness.
Step 7
If you want to minimize the bitterness even further, you can blanch the soaked bitter melon. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the bitter melon, and boil for about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then gently squeeze out excess moisture. (This step can be skipped if you enjoy a slight bitterness or if you’ve already removed it sufficiently.)
Step 8
While the bitter melon is soaking, prepare the pork. A standard mug holds about 100g of meat per cup. If you have tofu, you can use 100g of tofu along with 100g of pork. If using only pork, prepare 200g (about 1 full mug). Season the pork with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix well, and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.
Step 9
Slice the onion thinly into strips, similar in size to the pork pieces.
Step 10
Heat a lightly oiled pan (with cooking oil or sesame oil) over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and stir-fry until it’s fully cooked and turns a nice golden brown.
Step 11
Once the pork is cooked, add the prepared bitter melon and sliced onions to the pan.
Step 12
Pour in the seasoning ingredients (1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin) and stir-fry everything together until well combined.
Step 13
After the ingredients are mostly cooked, create a small clearing in the center of the pan. Crack the 2 eggs into this space, as if you were making fried eggs.
Step 14
Once the eggs begin to set around the edges and the yolks are still slightly runny, like a sunny-side-up egg,
Step 15
Use chopsticks or a spatula to break the eggs into smaller pieces. Stir them around to create a scrambled egg effect, mixing them with the other ingredients.
Step 16
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of black pepper over everything and give it a final quick stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a tiny bit more salt if it’s not salty enough for your preference.
Step 17
Enjoy your healthy and delicious Bitter Melon Pork Stir-fry!
