• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wok and Kin logo

  • About
  • Asian Pantry Ingredients
    • Herbs & Aromatics
    • Vegetables and Leafy Greens
    • Dehydrated, Cured and Preserved Ingredients
    • Dry Spices
    • Everything You Need to Know About Asian Noodle Types
    • Sauces & Oils
  • Recipes
    • Appetisers
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Egg
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
    • Rice
    • Noodles
    • Noodle Soup
    • Soup
    • Dessert
    • Sauces
    • Drinks
    • How-To’s
    • Asian-Inspired Holidays
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Egg
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian
    • Rice
    • Noodles
    • Noodle Soup
    • Soup
    • Dessert
    • Sauces
    • Drinks
    • How-To’s
    • Asian Holiday Recipes and Menus
  • Asian Pantry Ingredients
    • Herbs & Aromatics
    • Vegetables and Leafy Greens
    • Dehydrated, Cured and Preserved Ingredients
    • Dry Spices
    • Everything You Need to Know About Asian Noodle Types
    • Sauces & Oils
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Vegetables » Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry

    Published: Jun 16, 2022 · Last Modified: Jun 16, 2022 by Jeannette ·

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry

    Pin67
    Share
    Yum
    Email
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry is one of the EASIEST side dishes for any time of the day! This is a no-fuss recipe for soft, fluffy eggs and a healthy serving of greens. We marinate the bitter melons to enhance their flavor and gently caramelize on the outside.

    Love the taste of this healthy fruit? Try it in a soup!

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.

    An easy side dish everyone can appreciate

    Mum and Dad’s Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry is a classic example of how you can turn two ordinary ingredients into a terrific side dish. For our family, anyone at home will it whip up when the fridge is bare and there’s no time to make anything fancy.

    We love this dish’s simplicity and it definitely makes the cut for an easy dinner idea alongside all the family favorites including Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (蠔油芥籣), Steamed Pork Belly with Salted Radish and Tomato Tofu with Minced Pork.

    But why it makes a regular appearance on our dinner table is because it’s super versatile – we can make it vegetarian for Mum or substitute the sauces for the regular fish and oyster versions.

    Within 30 minutes, you’ll see the egg mixture cook into golden folds while it stays delicate and fluffy on the inside. The sliced bitter melons are tossed over high heat to seal in the marinated flavors and keep their signature soft yet crunchy texture.

    Top it over rice and you have a complete meal right there.

    You really have to give this recipe a go; it’s so simple it’s foolproof!

    Close up of Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.

    Why this recipe works

    • Marinating the bitter melons gives the dish a deeper flavor and savoriness.
    • Cooking the egg mix on low heat develops beautiful curds.
    • There are only 2 main ingredients and the rest are pantry staples for most Asian households, so you can spend less time cooking!

    What you’ll need

    Dishes of vegetable stock powder, honey, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, fish sauce and oil along with eggs and bittermelon.

    About the ingredients

    I made this Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry recipe vegetarian for Mum by using vegetable stock powder, a vegetarian substitute for oyster sauce and a vegan fish sauce.

    If you don’t plan to do so, you can replace the vegetable stock powder with chicken bouillon powder and the sauces with the non-vegetarian options.

    How to make this recipe

    Halved and hollowed bittermelon.

    Cut off the tips on both ends of the bitter melons and slice them along their length to halve each one. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and hollow them out.

    Bittermelon slices marinating in a bowl.

    Slice the bitter melons thinly, roughly 5mm (0.2″) thick, then marinate with the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey and 1 tsp vegetable stock powder. Let it rest as you work on the other ingredients.

    Note: If you prefer it less bitter, Mum suggests scrubbing the slices in 1 tbsp salt before marinating. Squeeze and scrub for 1 minute to release some of the bitter liquid, then wash and wring dry.

    Mixed eggs in a bowl.

    In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the fish sauce and remaining vegetable stock powder until well combined.

    Eggs cooking in a pan.

    Heat up the pan or wok on high heat and pour half the oil in. When hot, gently add the eggs to cook. Turn the heat to low-medium and use a spatula to pull the cooked sides in slowly without scrambling it (the same way you would when stir frying with tomatoes).

    As soon as it’s 80% cooked, transfer it onto a plate.

    Note: Some families prefer to cook the egg and bitter melon slices together so they bind a little more.

    If that’s what you prefer, then let the eggs cook until they’re just starting to form curds before adding the bitter melons in on high heat. Stir everything together and let the eggs scramble as they cook around each slice, then plate when it reaches your desired consistency.

    Bittermelon in a pan.

    If you like the bitter melon and egg separate, then turn the heat up to high and pour the remaining oil in. Add the marinated slices and cook for 3 minutes or until just starting to soften.

    Bittermelon slices and eggs in a pan.

    Pour the eggs back in and gently break them apart using a spatula. Mix for another 2 minutes before plating the dish.

    Serve immediately with fresh rice!

    Recipe FAQs

    How can I make my bitter melons less bitter?

    Grandma tells me to buy the ones with longer grooves. You can also soak it in lightly salted water for the flavor to dilute itself. Make sure to squeeze all the liquid out before cooking.

    Why are my bitter melons still hard?

    They will need some time on heat to soften, so keep it on the pan or wok for longer if you have to. It might even help to put the lid on to trap some of the moisture and partially steam it.

    Can you eat the seeds?

    Ideally, no. They are said to be toxic, so it’s best to hollow the insides out to remove the seeds before cooking. You can use them to plant, but not to eat.

    Tips for the best results

    • Avoid over-cooking the eggs. This will make them taste rubbery instead of light and fluffy.
    • Don’t slice the bitter melons too thinly. When you do so, it softens much faster and will lose its texture over high heat.
    • Stir the ingredients quickly in the pan or wok. Since we use honey as a sweetener, it can burn if left still for too long, so make sure to keep everything moving to prevent it from sticking.
    Bittermelon Stir Fry with Eggs in a bowl.

    Make it a family meal

    • Start the banquet with some crunchy Chả Giò Chay (Vegetarian Spring Rolls).
    • Braised Eggplant with Tofu, Winter Melon Stir Fry and Stuffed Tofu (Yong Tau Fu 釀豆腐) make the perfect variety of vegetables to go with rice.
    • If your family wants something more than plain rice, go for Mum’s Rice Cooker Rice with Mushrooms and Chinese Broccoli, her Vegetarian Hainanese Chicken Rice or her Vegetarian Congee.
    • Dress all the dishes up with Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil.
    • Chinese Seaweed Soup (紫菜汤) is a simple soup to wrap everything up.
    • Simmer a quick Bean Curd and Ginkgo Nut Dessert Soup (腐竹白果糖水) for a final dessert!

    Want more home cooked recipes?

    Subscribe to our email list and be the first to get recipe updates as soon as they’re posted. You can also follow Wok & Kin on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter!

    Close up of Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry is easy for any time! This is a no-fuss recipe to get soft, fluffy egg curds and a healthy serving of greens.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 169kcal
    Author: Jeannette

    Equipment

    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 2 bitter melon
    • 6 eggs
    • 2 tbsp oyster sauce (or a vegetarian substitute)
    • 2 tbsp light soy sauce (or to taste)
    • 2 tsp vegetable stock powder (1 tsp for the bitter melon and 2 for the eggs; can use chicken bouillon powder instead)
    • 4 tbsp oil (half for cooking eggs and half for bitter melon)
    • 1 1/2 tsp honey (or to taste)
    • 1 tbsp vegan fish sauce (for the eggs; can use regular fish sauce)

    Instructions

    • Cut off the tips on both ends of the bitter melons and slice them along their length to halve each one. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and hollow them out.
    • Slice the bitter melons thinly, roughly 5mm (0.2") thick, then marinate with the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey and 1 tsp vegetable stock powder. Let it rest as you work on the other ingredients.
      Note: If you prefer it less bitter, Mum suggests scrubbing the slices in 1 tbsp salt before marinating. Squeeze and scrub for 1 minute to release some of the bitter liquid, then wash and wring dry.
    • In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the fish sauce and remaining vegetable stock powder until well combined.
    • Heat up the pan or wok on high heat and pour half the oil in. When hot, gently add the eggs to cook. Turn the heat to low-medium and use a spatula to pull the cooked sides in slowly without scrambling it.
      As soon as it's 80% cooked, transfer it onto a plate.
      Note: Some families prefer to cook the egg and bitter melon slices together so they bind a little more.
      If that's what you prefer, then let the eggs cook until they're just starting to form curds before adding the bitter melons in on high heat. Stir everything together and let the eggs scramble as they cook around each slice, then plate when it reaches your desired consistency.
    • If you like the bitter melon and egg separate, then turn the heat up to high and pour the remaining oil in. Add the marinated slices and cook for 3 minutes or until just starting to soften.
    • Pour the eggs back in and gently break them apart using a spatula. Mix for another 2 minutes before plating the dish.
    • Serve immediately with fresh rice!

    Video

    Notes

    • Avoid over-cooking the eggs. This will make them taste rubbery instead of light and fluffy.
    • Don't slice the bitter melons too thinly. When you do so, it softens much faster and will lose its texture over high heat.
    • Stir the ingredients quickly in the pan or wok. Since we use honey as a sweetener, it can burn if left still for too long, so make sure to keep everything moving to prevent it from sticking.
    • I made this version vegetarian for Mum by using vegetable stock powder, a vegetarian substitute for oyster sauce and a vegan fish sauce. Otherwise, you can replace the vegetable stock powder with chicken bouillon powder and the sauces with the non-vegetarian options.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 843mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me TODAY!If you recreated this authentic recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @wokandkin.

    This post was originally published on 26/08/21 and updated with new photos in June 2022.

    Join the family!

    Share the love:

    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
    « Tomato and Egg Stir Fry (番茄炒蛋)
    Vietnamese Beef Salad (Bò Xào Xà Lách Xoong) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kushigalu says

      August 31, 2021 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      I actually love bittermelon and this is one great recipe to try. Thanks for sharing. SO delicious

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:48 am

        Thanks, Kushigalu! Bittermelon is quite a treat, isn’t it? 😉

        Reply
    2. Claudia Lamascolo says

      August 31, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this really has me intrigued we are huge stir fry lovers will try!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:48 am

        It sure is worth a try, Claudia!

        Reply
    3. Dannii says

      August 31, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      We are always looking for new stir fries to try and this looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:48 am

        Thanks, Dannii! I hope you get to enjoy it as much as we do!

        Reply
    4. Beth says

      August 31, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      What an intriguing recipe to try! My husband and I just love trying new recipes, and we’ve never heard of this one. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try! Looks wonderful and very tasty!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:49 am

        Thanks, Beth! I hope you and your husband love this recipe like my family does!

        Reply
    5. Elle says

      August 31, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy and quick recipe, I look forward to trying it over the weekend, as it looks so tasty! I only need the bittermelon, as I have the rest, if not it would have been tonight’s meal!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:49 am

        Yay for easy weekend meals! Hopefully you source some at your supermarket!

        Reply
    6. Natalie says

      August 31, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely stir fry recipe. I haven’t tried this one yet, with bittermelon. But I definitely want to 🙂 Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’m going to make this for sure.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        September 01, 2021 at 8:50 am

        Thanks, Natalie! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave A Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Let’s be Friends

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    Sweeten Your Day!

    Mango pancakes on a board with mint and a bowl of sliced mango

    Yum Cha Mango Pancakes (芒果班戟)

    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls in a bowl with a spoon in it.

    Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls (Chè Trôi Nước)

    Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie in a cup in front of a second cup and avocados

    Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie (Sinh Tố Bơ)

    Thạch Dừa pieces on a plate with mint on top.

    Thạch Dừa (Vietnamese Coconut Jelly)

    Taro and Sweet Potato Balls Dessert in a bowl with a wooden spoon in it.

    Taro and Sweet Potato Balls Dessert (九份芋圓)

    Sweet Potato and Ginger Dessert Soup in a pot.

    Sweet Potato and Ginger Dessert Soup (番薯糖水)

    Reader Favorites

    Braised Abalone with Mushrooms in a pot surrounded by a teapot, teacups with tea and a dish of mushrooms

    Braised Abalone with Mushrooms (红烧鲍菇)

    Ham Sui Gok on a board with chopsticks, tea and dishes of chili sauce and spring onions

    Ham Sui Gok (Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings 咸水角)

    Chicken curry and noodles in a bowl

    Cà Ri Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Curry)

    Chicken rice in a rice cooker with a wooden spoon

    Rice Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Rice

    Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil in a bowl with a wooden spoon next to it.

    Sichuan Garlic Chili Oil

    Grilled pork chops with spring onions on a plate with tomatoes, cucmbers and fish sauce

    Sườn Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chops)

    As Featured On

    Wok & Kin

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

     

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • X

    Food Lovers

    Recipe Index

    Things We Love

    Subscribe

     

    Copyright © 2025 · Brunch Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.
    Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.
    Close up of Bitter Melon and Eggs Stir Fry in a bowl.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.