2 Ways to Cook Delicious Simple Bitter Melon Soup with Dried Shrimp at Home

Prepare the ingredients

Dried shrimp should be soaked in water for about 10 minutes to soften, then rinse with clean water and drain.

Bitter melon is cut in half lengthwise, the seeds are removed, and then use a knife to slice (or shave) into thin slices, then soak in diluted salt water for about 5 minutes before removing and draining.

Garlic is peeled, crushed, and finely chopped. Green onions are washed, drained, and chopped small.

Cooking soup

Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Wait for the oil to heat up, then add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant.

When the garlic is fragrant, add the soaked dried shrimp, stir for about 30 seconds until the shrimp is slightly firm, then add 800ml of water, cover, and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

When the soup boils, open the lid, skim off the foam, and add all the prepared bitter melon. Gently press the bitter melon down so it is submerged in water, then add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of seasoning, and stir gently. Continue to cook for about 3 – 5 minutes until the soup boils, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, turn off the heat, and serve in a bowl.

Sprinkle a little pepper and garnish the bowl of soup with some finely chopped green onion to complete.

Final product

The bitter melon soup with dried shrimp after completion has an attractive color and aroma. The soup is light and slightly bitter, blending well with the chewy dried shrimp and the crisp, delicious bitter melon.

You can enjoy it right when the soup is still hot or pour it over white rice, both are tasty and delicious!

Prepare the bitter melon and scallions

Cut the bitter melon to remove the inner seeds, slice thinly, then rinse 2 – 3 times with water until clean, and let drain.

Fresh herbs bought should have the roots, wilted, and yellow leaves removed, then washed clean and drained of water.

Shallots should be peeled clean, briefly rinsed with water, and then minced finely.

Prepare and pound the dried shrimp

Dried shrimp should be soaked in warm water or filtered water for about 10 – 15 minutes to expand, soften, and clean off dirt, then drained and placed in a mortar to be pounded finely.

Cook soup

Place a pot on the stove, add 1/2 a spoon of cooking oil into the pot and heat over medium heat. Wait for the oil to become hot, then add minced shallots to fry until fragrant, then pour in the shrimp and stir well until the shrimp is aromatic.

Next, add about two bowls of filtered water (rice bowl) into the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, and gradually season with the following spices: 1 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

After that, wait for the soup to boil vigorously, skim off the foam, then add the bitter melon. When the bitter melon is just slightly cooked, add chopped scallions and coriander, adjust the seasoning to taste, and then turn off the heat. Do not overcook the bitter melon as it will lose its crispness and flavor.

Finished Product

Serve the soup in a bowl, sprinkle a little ground pepper on top, and it’s done. The dish of bitter melon soup with dried shrimp is complete, featuring an eye-catching green color and garnished with a few appealing shrimp.

The broth is delicious and rich, the bitter melon is crunchy with a slight bitterness that blends perfectly with the rich flavor of the dried shrimp, making it delightful. It’s best enjoyed while the soup is still hot!