Cold Tossed Wild Bitter Melon
The sweetness that spreads behind the bitterness! Vitamin C Explosion "Green Gem" Ultra-thin Slices
Description
Extremely thinly sliced 'Shan Kugua' (wild-type bitter melon with fine bumps and dark green color)—a Taiwanese specialty. Shocked in ice water and eaten with garlic soy sauce; the ultimate detox cold dish.
Restaurants serving Cold Tossed Wild Bitter Melon
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Shan Kugua(Wild bitter melon)
- Grated garlic
- Thick soy sauce
- Sesame oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Halve Shan Kugua lengthwise, completely scrape out seeds and white pith with a spoon (pith causes bitterness).
- Slice ultra-thin, almost transparently, with a slicer/knife.
- Blanch for just
- secs, immediately throw into massive ice water to draw out crispiness.
- Drain well, eat dipped in (or tossed with) a sauce of grated garlic, Jiangyou Gao, and sesame oil.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Raw garlic punch and refreshing bitter melon bitterness
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Regular bitter melon (but Shan Kugua has higher nutrition)
Pairing
Cold beer、Boiled chicken breast
Trivia
[For Health Conscious] Taiwan's white bitter melon is for braises/soups, but dark green 'Shan Kugua' has exceptionally high Vit C and fat-burning effects, making it a hugely popular diet ingredient. Ultra-thin slicing and ice-shocking turns bitterness into refreshing umami, a magic salad you can eat infinitely.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Sprinkle a little sweet/sour Taiwanese 'Mei Fen' (plum powder) to enjoy the complex contrast of bitterness and sweet/sourness like a dessert!
Allergen
Soy, Wheat (from soy sauce), Sesame