Vegan Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup: A Healthy & Delicious Recipe

Vegan stuffed bitter melon soup is a light, nutritious, and very healthy dish. With the distinctive flavor of bitter melon combined with a tofu filling and fresh ingredients, this soup is not only delicious but also offers many health benefits. Join “Sổ Tay Món Ăn” (Recipe Handbook) to discover how to cook vegan stuffed bitter melon soup to treat your whole family!

If you want to try other vegetarian soups, check out how to make vegetarian papaya stew for more options for your daily meals.

Ingredients for Vegan Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup

To make vegan stuffed bitter melon soup for 4 people, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Bitter melon: 500 gr
• Firm tofu: 200 gr
• Dried wood ear mushrooms: 20 gr
• Carrots: 50 gr
• Green onions: 10 gr
• Cilantro: 10 gr
• Common seasonings: a little (sugar/salt/vegan seasoning powder/pepper)

Ingredients for Vegan Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup

How to Choose Fresh Ingredients

How to Choose Fresh Bitter Melon

• Choose bitter melons of moderate size, long and slender, with many small ridges on the skin.
• Avoid buying dark green bitter melons that are swollen and have smooth skin, as they may have been treated with excessive fertilizers or growth stimulants.

How to Choose Good Tofu

• To choose good tofu that does not contain gypsum, select pieces that are creamy white, not yellowish or yellow.
• Choose pieces that feel light and smooth when held; these are good quality tofu.
• Fresh, pure tofu will have a characteristic aromatic smell, while tofu containing impurities may have a faint lime-like odor.
• When cooked, pure tofu will have a fragrant, rich soy flavor. Tofu with impurities may have a slightly astringent taste.

How to Prepare Vegan Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup

Prepare the Bitter Melon

Using a pointed knife, make a lengthwise cut along the bitter melon, then use a knife or spoon to scrape out the seeds and pith.

Next, soak the bitter melon in diluted salt water for about 5 minutes to clean it and reduce its bitterness.

Rinse the bitter melon again with clean water and let it drain.

Step 1: Preparing bitter melon by slicing and removing seeds

Step 1: Rinsing cored bitter melon under running water

Prepare Other Ingredients

Peel and wash the carrots, then julienne them and finely mince. Wash the green onions and cilantro; cut the white parts of the green onions and set aside. Then, finely chop half of the green onions and cilantro, and cut the other half into longer segments.

Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in warm water, then remove the stems, thinly slice, and finely mince.

Step 2: Chopping carrots for the filling

Step 2: Chopping green onions and cilantro for the filling

Step 2: Soaking dried wood ear mushrooms

Step 2: Slicing rehydrated wood ear mushrooms

Mix the Filling

Place the firm tofu in a bowl and mash it with a spoon.

Then, add the minced carrots, wood ear mushrooms, finely chopped green onions, and cilantro to the bowl. Season with 1/2 tablespoon vegan seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon whole black pepper, and 1 teaspoon ground pepper, then mix well.

Step 3: Mashing firm tofu in a bowl

Step 3: Mixing tofu with chopped vegetables and seasonings for the filling

Stuff the Bitter Melon

Take a sufficient amount of filling and gently spoon it into the bitter melon cavity, pressing lightly to ensure the filling is compact.

Step 4: Stuffing bitter melon with the vegan tofu filling

Cook the Soup

Pour 1 liter of water into a pot, place it on the stove over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Once the water boils, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the pot and add the stuffed bitter melons to simmer for about 20 minutes.

Afterward, taste and adjust the seasoning of the soup to suit your family’s preference. Next, add the white parts of the green onions and the longer segments of green onions and cilantro to the pot, stir gently, and turn off the heat.

Step 5: Simmering stuffed bitter melon in a pot of broth

Step 5: Adding green onions and cilantro to the simmering soup

Finished Dish

The vegan stuffed bitter melon soup is fragrant and visually appealing with its distinct aroma. When you taste it, you’ll immediately notice the bitter melon’s slight bitterness and pleasant crispness—not too hard, not too soft—while the tofu filling inside is soft, delicious, and perfectly seasoned. It’s truly delicious; invite your family to enjoy it!

Finished Vegan Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup served in a bowl, garnished with herbs

Conclusion

Vegan stuffed bitter melon soup is an easy-to-make dish that offers a special flavor and numerous health benefits. Try making this dish to add to your family’s daily menu. If you want to explore more vegetarian dishes, check out how to make vegetarian papaya stew for more diverse options.

Wishing you success and enjoyment with this vegan stuffed bitter melon soup!