Hakka Bitter Melon
Hot Dishes

Hakka Bitter Melon

timer 10 MIN
signal_cellular_alt Easy
person 4 servings
Recipe
Hakka Bitter Melon

About This Recipe

This savory Stuffed Bitter Melon with Pork and Mushrooms is a flavorful and comforting dish that balances rich umami with a hint of bitterness for a truly unique taste. Tender pork is finely chopped and mixed with rehydrated mushrooms, then seasoned with light soy sauce, peanut oil, and white pepper for a sticky, aromatic filling. The bitter melon is blanched to soften its sharpness, then stuffed with the savory meat mixture and braised to perfection. A slow simmer in a fragrant sauce—thickened with starch, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame oil—locks in deep, satisfying flavors. Perfect for those who enjoy bold, layered tastes, this dish is a delicious way to enjoy bitter melon with a tender, meaty twist. Serve it as a hearty main course for a wholesome, home-cooked meal.

Instructions

Detailed preparation guide

servings 4
Total Time 10m

shopping_basket Ingredients

Main Ingredients
  • pork 150g
  • bitter melon 200g
The aromatics
  • mushrooms 50g
The sauce & seasonings
  • salt to taste
  • light soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • peanut oil 1.5 tbsp
  • white pepper powder 1/2 tsp
  • starch 1 tbsp
  • sesame oil 1 tsp

menu_book Directions

1
Step 1
Step 1
Cut the pork into small pieces and season with salt. Slice the rehydrated mushrooms finely and chop the meat mixture with a knife.
2
Step 2
Step 2
Add light soy sauce, peanut oil, and white pepper powder to the chopped meat mixture and stir for a longer time until it becomes sticky.
3
Step 3
Step 3
Cut the bitter melon into segments and remove the inner pulp.
4
Step 4
Step 4
Boil the bitter melon segments in salted water, then turn off the heat and let it sit for a while.
5
Step 5
Step 5
After boiling, rinse the bitter melon with cold water, fill it with the meat mixture, and place it in a hot oiled pan to braise. Be careful to add water and use low heat.
6
Step 6
Step 6
After braising for 15 minutes, turn the heat to low and add a thickening mixture (starch, light soy sauce, sesame oil, or peanut oil), then simmer for another 10 minutes before serving.

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