Sautéed Water Spinach with Garlic and Shrimp Paste

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A quick Filipino vegetable side dish featuring tender water spinach sautéed with pungent shrimp paste and aromatic garlic for a savory umami boost. This Filipino-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs water spinach (kangkong), shrimp paste (bagoong alamang), garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Filipino cuisine 90 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 bunch (about 300 grams), washed and chopped into 2-inch pieces water spinach (kangkong)
2 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small, sliced (optional) red chili pepper
1/4 cup water
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
Step 2: Add 2 tbsp shrimp paste and stir-fry with the garlic for 1 minute until aromatic.
Step 3: Add the 1 bunch chopped water spinach and 1 small sliced red chili pepper (if using). Toss quickly to combine.
Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup water and cover the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the water spinach is wilted but still bright green.
Step 5: Remove the lid, stir well, and season with salt to taste. Cook uncovered for another minute to evaporate excess liquid before serving.