Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs (Ku Gua Chao Dan)
Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs (Ku Gua Chao Dan)
Ingredients
- 1 bitter melon
- 3 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, as needed
- 1 teaspoon cooking wine
- 3 tablespoons oil, for cooking
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Instructions
- 1
Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the pith and seeds from the center of each half.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Slice the bitter melon halves into thin, crescent-shaped pieces, about 1/8-inch thick.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Place the sliced bitter melon in a bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and mix well to coat. Let it marinate for 5 minutes. This step helps to reduce the bitterness.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
After marinating, thoroughly wash the bitter melon under cold running water to remove excess salt and some of the bitterness. Drain the water completely.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
In a separate medium-sized bowl, beat the 3 eggs. Add a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of cooking wine, then mix well until combined.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour in the beaten egg mixture and stir-fry, scrambling the eggs until they are just cooked through and lightly golden. Transfer the cooked eggs out of the wok and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Add the drained bitter melon slices to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they start to become tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min
- 9
Return the previously stir-fried eggs to the wok with the bitter melon.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Season the dish with 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of white sugar. Stir-fry evenly for another 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Serve immediately as a side dish with steamed rice.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs (Ku Gua Chao Dan)
- 1 bitter melon
- 3 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, as needed
- 1 teaspoon cooking wine
- 3 tablespoons oil, for cooking
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Instructions
- 1
Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the pith and seeds from the center of each half.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Slice the bitter melon halves into thin, crescent-shaped pieces, about 1/8-inch thick.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Place the sliced bitter melon in a bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and mix well to coat. Let it marinate for 5 minutes. This step helps to reduce the bitterness.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
After marinating, thoroughly wash the bitter melon under cold running water to remove excess salt and some of the bitterness. Drain the water completely.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
In a separate medium-sized bowl, beat the 3 eggs. Add a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of cooking wine, then mix well until combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour in the beaten egg mixture and stir-fry, scrambling the eggs until they are just cooked through and lightly golden. Transfer the cooked eggs out of the wok and set aside on a plate.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Add the drained bitter melon slices to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they start to become tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min - 9
Return the previously stir-fried eggs to the wok with the bitter melon.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Season the dish with 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of white sugar. Stir-fry evenly for another 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Serve immediately as a side dish with steamed rice.