Stir-Fried Okinawan Bitter Melon with Garlic and Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A savory stir-fry showcasing Okinawan bitter melon paired with tender pork strips and aromatic garlic. This Japanese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs bitter melon, pork loin, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Ingredients

• 200 g, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced thin bitter melon
• 250 g, thinly sliced into strips pork loin
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp white pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 250 g thin pork loin strips and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until pork loses its pink color and edges start browning.
4. Step 4: Toss in 200 g thinly sliced bitter melon, stir-frying for 5 minutes until bitter melon softens but retains slight crunch.
5. Step 5: Pour in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, and sprinkle 1/4 tsp white pepper. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly.
6. Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, toss once more, and remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately with steamed rice.