Stir-fried Bitter Melon Leaves with Garlic

Stir-fried Bitter Melon Leaves with Garlic recipe videos

Stir-fried Bitter Melon Leaves with Garlic is a simple, savory Chinese home-style dish made from the tender leaves and stems of the bitter melon plant, quickly cooked with garlic and oil. It is a common vegetable preparation in southern Chinese cuisines, particularly in regions like Guangdong and Fujian, where the entire bitter melon plant is utilized.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is very low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, while providing a good source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein. It is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	55 kcal
Protein	3.5 g
Carbs	6 g
Fat	2.5 g
Fiber	2.8 g
Sugar	1 g
Sodium	300 mg
Vitamin A	350 µg RAE
Vitamin C	45 mg
Vitamin K	90 µg
Calcium	120 mg
Iron	2.0 mg
Potassium	380 mg
Magnesium	25 mg
Folate	55 µg

Per 1 cup (150 g), stir-fried · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, this dish showcases the Chinese culinary principle of 'root-to-leaf' eating, minimizing waste by using the often-discarded leaves. Nutritionally, the bitter melon leaves are known for their potential health benefits and contain compounds similar to those in the fruit, which are studied for their effects on metabolism.