Bitter Gourd Soup
Bitter Gourd Soup is a light, savory broth featuring sliced bitter melon as the star ingredient, typically simmered with lean pork slices, fish fillets, or sometimes just eggs. This humble yet flavorful dish is a staple across many Asian cuisines, particularly in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino home cooking, valued for its simplicity and refreshing taste.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is generally low in carbohydrates and fat, especially when made with lean protein, making it a light, protein-rich option. It's an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate, with a typical serving containing roughly 150-250 calories depending on the protein and portion size.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
| Vitamin C | 30 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Folate | 80 mcg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Vitamin K | 25 mcg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup is often consumed in the summer or during hot weather as it's believed to have 'cooling' properties in traditional Chinese medicine. Nutritionally, bitter gourd contains compounds like charantin and polypeptide-p, which are studied for their potential effects on blood sugar management, making it a uniquely functional ingredient in everyday cooking.
