Stir-Fried Okinawan Bitter Melon with Tofu and Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A vibrant stir-fry highlighting Okinawa’s bitter melon, complemented by savory pork and soft tofu for a balanced, healthful dish. This Japanese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, firm tofu, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 grams bitter melon, sliced into 1/4-inch crescents
• 150 grams pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• 150 grams firm tofu, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sake
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 150 grams thinly sliced pork shoulder and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until pork is lightly browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Add 200 grams sliced bitter melon and stir-fry for 5 minutes until the melon softens but still retains slight bitterness and crunch.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in 150 grams firm tofu cubes, then add 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sake, stirring carefully to avoid breaking the tofu. Cook for 2 minutes to heat through.
5. Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, toss gently to combine, then remove from heat and serve immediately.