Bitter Melon Leaf Stir-Fry with Garlic
Bitter Melon Leaf Stir-Fry with Garlic is a simple, savory Chinese home-style dish where tender bitter melon leaves are quickly stir-fried with aromatic garlic. It typically features fresh leaves, garlic cloves, and a light seasoning of salt or soy sauce, often with a touch of oil. This dish is a common vegetable preparation in southern Chinese cuisines, such as Cantonese and Hokkien cooking.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is very low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, making it a light, nutrient-dense side. It provides a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like iron and calcium, with a typical serving containing around 40-60 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 50 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 5 g |
| Fat | 2.5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 200 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 µg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 30 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Potassium | 250 mg |
| Magnesium | 15 mg |
| Folate | 40 µg |
| Vitamin K | 25 µg |
Per 1 cup (about 150 g), stir-fried · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, using bitter melon leaves reflects a resourceful 'root-to-leaf' cooking philosophy in Chinese cuisine, minimizing waste. Nutritionally, the leaves are even more concentrated in certain antioxidants and vitamins than the more commonly eaten bitter fruit.
