Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup – Canh Kho Qua

This delicious Vietnamese dish is a savory soup made with bitter melon (called kho qua in Vietnamese). It’s typically simmered in broth or stock, then flavored with herbs, aromatics and seasonings for a hearty and flavorful meal. The bitterness of the melon balances out the rich flavors of the other ingredients to create a unique flavor profile.

Table of Contents

Where To Buy Bitter Melon And How To Choose A Good One?

Good quality bitter melons can be found in most Asian grocery stores.

Choose those that are brightly green or slightly yellow and smooth, with few wrinkles and little or no black spots. Opt for large and chubby fruits so you can stuff a lot of the meat filling inside.

Ingredients

Stuffed Bitter Melons

3 large bitter melons
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoons sugar
10 gm pre-shredded black fungus/wood ear mushroom, roughly chopped
500 gm pork mince

Soup Base

5 cups chicken stock or water
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable stock powder

Instructions

Preparing the Bitter Melon

Begin by sectioning the bitter melon into chunks approximately 4 cm (or 1.5 inches) in length. Following this, take a teaspoon or a knife and utilize it to carefully remove the pith and seeds inside the bitter melon chunks. This step is crucial in prepping the bitter melon for stuffing later on in the recipe.

To enhance the texture of the bitter melon, you might consider soaking the prepared bitter melon chunks in cold water. This step can help to maintain the crispness of the bitter melon, adding a refreshing element to the final dish.

Stuffing the Bitter Melon with filling

Start by preparing the black fungus. Rinse it thoroughly then chop it into small pieces. This ingredient adds a delightful crunch to the stuffing and a contrasting texture against the softness of the pork mince.
Next, you’ll want to combine the pork mince with the chopped black fungus, finely chopped onion, and the various seasonings. This includes one teaspoon of sugar, one teaspoon of pepper, and one teaspoon of fish sauce.
Let the pork mixture to sit for 10 to 15 minutes to fully absorb the seasonings.
Take a sufficient amount of the prepared stuffing, and gently spoon it into the bitter melon. Press lightly to ensure the filling is compact.

Cooking the Soup

Place a pot on the stove and add in your chicken stock or water, adjusting the flavor according to your preference with salt, sugar, vegetable stock powder, and the stuffed bitter melons. Feel free to increase or decrease the amounts to suit your family’s taste.

Allow the soup to simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the bitter melon becomes soft. After this, turn off the heat. Pour the soup into a bowl, then garnish with additional scallions and a dash of pepper.

Serving

Serve the finished soup hot, accompanied by a side of steamed white rice.

You can also add other ingredients such as green onions or cilantro to garnish your dish for an aesthetic presentation.

Tips to reduce the Bitterness of the Melon

Choose bitter melons with longer ridges. You will see some that have many small lumps indicating a higher bitterness. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for varieties with larger and longer lumps.
Rinse the melon thoroughly with water, then rub it with salt and squeeze to extract the juice. This strategy is more commonly applied to sliced bitter melon stir-fries, but you can always begin by thoroughly washing the fruit.

Tips for Successful Cooking

It’s advisable to briefly blanch the stuffed bitter melons in boiling water to remove any impurities. This step isn’t just about cleanliness, it also aids in enhancing the final flavour of the dish. Ensure that you don’t blanch them for too long as it could cause the bitter melons to lose their vibrant color and firm texture.
When making Canh Kho Qua, it is important to use fresh bitter melon. Look for bright green melons that are smooth and firm to the touch. Bitter melon that is overripe will be too soft and may not have the same flavor.
Finally, remember to serve the soup hot for the best flavor and texture.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Canh Kho Qua can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply heat it up on the stove or microwave until hot. For best results, do not freeze the soup as this can affect its texture and flavor.

If you have leftovers, consider making a new dish! Bitter melon is very versatile and can be used in many recipes. Some ideas include stir-fries, omelets, or even fried rice!

Conclusion

Making Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup is a great way to bring traditional flavors into your kitchen. This easy and flavorful dish can be enjoyed by itself or as a side to other dishes. With this step-by-step guide, you will be able to make the perfect Canh Kho Qua every time!

FAQs

Can I Freeze This Soup?

We do not recommend freezing the soup as it can affect its texture and flavor. If you have leftovers, consider making a new dish! Bitter melon is very versatile and can be used in many recipes. Some ideas include stir-fries, omelets,…

Can I Substitute The Bitter Melon With Something Else?

Bitter melon is an essential ingredient in this soup and therefore it cannot be substituted. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for varieties with larger and longer lumps when selecting your bitter melons. You can also reduce the bitterness by rinsing the melon thoroughly with water, then rubbing it with salt.

What Do I Serve This Soup With?

Serve the finished soup hot, accompanied by a side of steamed white rice. You can also garnish your dish for an aesthetic presentation with additional scallions or cilantro.

Godfrey Jensen

I’m Godfrey Jensen, CEO and head chef at Lapps Meats. We’re a top-quality butcher with over 70 years of experience. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best, freshest products possible. We take our food seriously, and we love serving the community by providing them with quality meat products.