Chinese Stir-fried Bitter Melon Leaves with Garlic
A simple, savory stir-fry from Chinese home cooking, this dish features tender bitter melon leaves quickly cooked with aromatic garlic. The primary ingredients are fresh bitter melon leaves, garlic, and a light seasoning of salt or soy sauce. It is a common and beloved vegetable side dish, especially in Southern Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is very low in calories and carbohydrates, providing minimal fat and protein. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like iron and calcium, making it a nutrient-dense addition to a meal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 45 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 6 g |
| Fat | 1.5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
| Vitamin A | 4500 IU |
| Vitamin C | 60 mg |
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Vitamin K | 80 µg |
| Folate | 50 µg |
Per 1 cup (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Bitter melon leaves are prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their 'cooling' properties, believed to help balance internal heat. Nutritionally, they are surprisingly rich in antioxidants and have a more delicate, less bitter flavor than the fruit itself.
