Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry)

If you want to enjoy bitter melon in a delicious way with less bitterness, try making Goya Champuru. It is a popular Japanese dish that even children can enjoy, and it helps people get through the hot summer months.

Goya Champuru is a Japanese dish made by stir-frying bitter melon with pork (or Spam) and tofu, then adding beaten eggs. Shaved bonito flakes (katsuobushi) are often sprinkled on top.

Originally a beloved dish from Okinawa, located at the southwestern tip of Japan, it has become popular throughout the country because it makes bitter melon more palatable and enjoyable. "Goya" means bitter melon, and "Champuru" refers to a stir-fry or mixed dish in the Okinawan dialect, so "goya champuru" refers to stir-fried bitter melon mixed with other ingredients.

While pork is commonly used outside of Okinawa, Spam is often the preferred choice in Okinawa for this dish. This recipe uses pork, but if you want a more authentic flavor, feel free to substitute Spam according to your preference.

Bitter melon, the main ingredient in this dish, is a highly nutritious vegetable that you should consider incorporating into your diet. It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and folate, which provide various health benefits, such as reducing fatigue, maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes, lowering high blood pressure, and preventing anemia.

Moreover, when stir-fried with protein-rich foods, it can enhance the absorption of potassium and is also known to support liver function. For this reason, goya champuru, which includes protein-rich ingredients such as pork, tofu, and eggs, is believed to help you reap all the nutritional benefits of bitter melon.

Bitter melon is a vegetable that has a strong bitterness when eaten without any preparation. However, with proper preparation, the bitterness can be reduced, making it more palatable and enjoyable. Here, I will share some methods commonly used in Japan to mellow the bitterness of bitter melon:

• Remove the seeds and white pith.
• Sprinkle with salt and let it sit.
• Sprinkle with sugar and let it sit.
• Stir-fry with oil.
• Boil.

In this recipe, I'm using methods other than boiling to reduce the bitterness while preserving the texture of the bitter melon. This should significantly lessen the bitterness, but if you are still concerned about it, you might also want to try boiling.

Another important step in making goya champuru is properly preparing the tofu. Since tofu contains a lot of water, using it without draining can result in the dish becoming watery. In Japan, the following methods are commonly used to drain tofu:

• Place a weight on the tofu and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
• Microwave the tofu on medium power (500W) for 2 minutes.
• Boil the tofu for a few minutes.

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. Placing a weight on the tofu drains it effectively, but it takes time. The microwave method is quick, but it doesn't remove as much moisture as the other methods. The boiling method is fast and effective but requires more effort.

I used the microwave method for this recipe, but feel free to use whichever method you prefer. Additionally, when using the weight or microwave method, it is more effective to wrap the tofu in paper towels beforehand.

Ingredients

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Instructions

🕒 Total: 50 mins mins

Step 1
Trim both ends off the bitter melon, cut it in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and white pith with a spoon. Next, slice it into thin pieces, about ¼ inch (5 mm) thick. Then, sprinkle salt and sugar over the slices, gently rub them, and let them sit for about 5 minutes.

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Step 2
Wrap the tofu in paper towels, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave it on medium power (500W) for 2 minutes, uncovered. Remove the tofu, discard the towels, and let it cool enough to handle, then tear it into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes with your hands.

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Step 3
Cut the pork into 1.4-inch (3.5 cm) pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

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Step 4
Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat it.

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Step 5
Heat oil in a pan and cook the tofu over medium heat until lightly browned on both sides.

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Step 6
Remove the tofu and set it aside. Add the pork to the pan and sauté until lightly browned. Add the bitter melon and continue cooking until everything is lightly browned.

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Step 7
Return the tofu to the pan and stir-fry everything together briefly. Pour in the beaten egg and wait about 10 seconds until the egg begins to set slightly, then stir-fry everything again. Finally, add soy sauce to bring the flavors together.

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Step 8
Serve on a plate and sprinkle with shaved bonito flakes.

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To store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.