Okinawa Pork & Bitter Melon Soba Stir-Fry
This vibrant Okinawa Pork & Bitter Melon Soba Stir-Fry is a delightful homage to traditional Japanese flavors. Featuring stir-fried Okinawa soba noodles, succulent miso-marinated pork, and a medley of fresh vegetables including bitter melon, cabbage, and shiitake mushrooms, this dish is both nutritious and satisfying. The bitterness of the melon is beautifully balanced by the savory meat and crispy vegetables, all coming together to create a dish that is both comforting and invigorating. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a cozy dinner party, this recipe invites you to customize with any seasonal veggies you have on hand. With the added touch of garnishing with red pickled ginger and green onions, you're sure to impress any guest with its colorful presentation and amazing taste.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bitter melon
1/3 piece (sliced and soaked in saltwater)
Salt
1 teaspoon (for soaking bitter melon)
Cabbage
100 g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Onion
1/2 piece (sliced thinly)
Carrot
1/3 piece (sliced into thin strips)
Dried shiitake mushrooms
2 pieces (rehydrated, squeezed, and sliced)
Bean sprouts
100 g (fresh, rinsed)
Garlic chives
50 g (cut into 5 cm pieces)
Deep-fried tofu (atsuage)
100 g (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
Miso pork
100 g (pre-cooked)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Awamori
2 tablespoons (for flavor)
Okinawa soba noodles
200 g (cooked and drained)
Red pickled ginger (beni shoga)
5 g (for garnish)
Chopped green onions
10 g (for garnish)
Chili oil (layu)
to taste (optional for serving)
Instructions
1
1. Start by preparing the bitter melon: slice it in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and slice it thinly. Soak the slices in a bowl of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt for about 30 minutes to reduce bitterness, then drain and set aside.
2
2. Chop the cabbage into large, bite-sized pieces and slice the onion thinly. For the carrot, cut it into thin flat strips.
3
3. Prepare the dried shiitake mushrooms by soaking them in water for about 20 minutes until soft. Squeeze out excess water, remove the tough stems, and slice the caps into thin strips. Fresh shiitake mushrooms can be used as an alternative.
4
4. Cut the garlic chives into 5-centimeter pieces and chop the green onions. Slice the deep-fried tofu (atsuage) into small, bite-sized pieces.
5
5. In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Quickly stir-fry the miso pork until heated through; if using raw pork, ensure it is thoroughly cooked before proceeding.
6
6. Add the cabbage to the pan, stir-frying until it has softened, about 2-3 minutes.
7
7. Incorporate the bitter melon, onion, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms into the pan, continuing to stir-fry until the bitter melon is tender, about another 3-4 minutes.
8
8. Season the mixture with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and add 2 tablespoons of awamori for depth of flavor, mixing well. Adjust seasoning to taste if necessary.
9
9. Add the bean sprouts, atsuage, and garlic chives, stir-frying for 1-2 minutes until heated through and slightly wilted.
10
10. Finally, fold in the cooked Okinawa soba noodles, tossing everything together until well combined and the noodles are heated through.
11
11. Serve the stir-fry on a plate, garnishing with chopped green onions and red pickled ginger. For an extra kick, drizzle with chili oil (layu) if desired.
Nutrition Information
23
Carbs
15
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Okinawa Pork & Bitter Melon Soba Stir-Fry?
It is a vibrant Japanese dish featuring stir-fried Okinawa soba noodles, miso-marinated pork, and fresh vegetables like bitter melon, cabbage, and shiitake mushrooms.
How do I reduce the bitterness of the bitter melon?
To reduce bitterness, slice the melon thinly and soak the slices in water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt for about 30 minutes before draining.
What are the primary proteins in this recipe?
The dish uses 100 grams of miso pork and 100 grams of deep-fried tofu, known as atsuage.
What kind of noodles are used for this stir-fry?
This recipe specifically uses 200 grams of cooked and drained Okinawa soba noodles.
How should I prepare dried shiitake mushrooms?
Soak them in water for 20 minutes until soft, squeeze out the excess water, remove the tough stems, and slice the caps into thin strips.
Can I use fresh shiitake mushrooms instead of dried?
Yes, fresh shiitake mushrooms can be used as a suitable alternative to dried ones.
What is awamori and how is it used in this dish?
Awamori is an Okinawan distilled spirit; two tablespoons are added during the stir-frying process to provide depth of flavor.
How is the cabbage prepared for the stir-fry?
The cabbage should be chopped into large, bite-sized pieces before being added to the pan.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
This dish contains approximately 200 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this stir-fry?
Each serving provides 15 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
The recipe contains 23 grams of carbohydrates.
When should the bean sprouts and garlic chives be added?
They should be added after the other vegetables have softened, stir-frying for just 1-2 minutes until slightly wilted.
What can I use as a garnish for this recipe?
The dish is traditionally garnished with chopped green onions and red pickled ginger (beni shoga).
Is it possible to make this dish spicy?
Yes, you can drizzle the final dish with chili oil (layu) to add an extra kick of heat.
How should the carrot be cut?
The carrot should be cut into thin flat strips for even cooking.
What is the recommended cooking oil for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying.
How long does it take to cook the cabbage?
The cabbage typically takes about 2-3 minutes to soften in the skillet.
Can I use raw pork instead of pre-cooked miso pork?
Yes, but you must ensure the raw pork is thoroughly cooked in the pan before you begin adding the vegetables.
How are the garlic chives prepared?
The garlic chives should be cut into 5-centimeter pieces.
What role does red pickled ginger play?
Also known as beni shoga, it provides a colorful presentation and a bright, tangy contrast to the savory ingredients.
How is the onion prepared?
The onion should be sliced thinly before being added to the stir-fry.
At what stage are the soba noodles added?
The cooked Okinawa soba noodles are folded in at the very end and tossed until they are heated through.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 18 ingredients listed for this stir-fry recipe.
Can I customize the vegetables in this stir-fry?
Yes, the recipe allows for customization with any seasonal vegetables you have on hand.
How much salt and pepper is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper for seasoning the vegetable mixture.
What is atsuage?
Atsuage is deep-fried tofu, which adds texture and protein to the dish.
Is this dish suitable for weeknight meals?
Yes, it is designed to be a quick, nutritious, and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
How is the bitter melon sliced?
It is sliced in half lengthwise, seeds are removed, and then it is sliced thinly.
What is the texture of the dish?
The dish features a balance of soft noodles, succulent meat, and crispy vegetables.
What are some common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include yakisoba, stir-fried noodles, Okinawa cuisine, pork recipe, and healthy dinner.