frying bitter gourd with black bean sauce

How to Make Stir-Fried Diced Pork with Fermented Black Beans and Bitter Melon

Stir-fried diced pork with fermented black beans and bitter melon is a classic Chinese dish that balances savory, spicy, and subtly bitter flavors. Here’s a simple guide to prepare it.

Ingredients: 1 bitter melon, 150g pork loin, 1 tbsp fermented black beans, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 chili (sliced), 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp cooking oil, and a pinch of salt.

Steps:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Peel the bitter melon, scoop out seeds, and cut it into thin slices. Soak the slices in salted water for 10 minutes to reduce bitterness, then rinse and drain. Dice the pork into small pieces and marinate with 1 tsp soy sauce for 15 minutes. Rinse fermented black beans lightly and chop them roughly.

2. Stir-fry the pork: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated pork and stir-fry until no longer pink. Remove and set aside.

3. Cook the bitter melon: In the same wok, add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté garlic and chili until fragrant, then add fermented black beans and stir for 30 seconds. Toss in bitter melon slices and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.

4. Combine and season: Return the pork to the wok. Add soy sauce, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry everything together for 1 minute until well mixed. Serve hot with steamed rice.

This dish highlights the umami of fermented black beans while the bitter melon adds a refreshing crunch, making it a healthy and flavorful meal. Adjust the amount of chili or salt to suit your taste!