Bitter Melon Leaf Soup
Bitter Melon Leaf Soup is a light, savory, and slightly bitter broth-based soup popular in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It typically features tender bitter melon leaves, garlic, and sometimes fermented fish sauce or shrimp paste for umami depth, served as a simple, refreshing side dish. This humble home-style soup is cherished for its cooling properties and ability to balance richer meals.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is very low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, making it a light yet nutrient-dense option. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron, providing a significant nutritional boost with minimal caloric impact.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 35 kcal |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Carbs | 5 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1.5 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 45 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Folate | 60 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup is often consumed in hot climates as a 'cooling' food, believed to help the body regulate temperature. Nutritionally, the bitter compounds in the leaves are thought to aid digestion and support liver health, making it a functional food in traditional practices.
