3 Essential Steps for Cooking Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup for Tet – Enjoyed by Kids without Worrying about the Bitter Taste

Stuffed bitter melon soup is an essential dish in the Tet feast of people in the South. It is always present during the feast to honor ancestors on Tet day. Regardless of its simplicity, bitter melon soup never fails to be included. The dish brings hope that all pain, difficulties, and hardships will be overcome in the new year.

However, some people hesitate to eat bitter melon because of its bitterness, even though they understand its significance on Tet day. Many choose to only consume the meat stuffing inside the bitter melon soup, avoiding the bitter melon and soup. Unfortunately, by not eating the bitter melon, they miss out on a significant amount of nutrients, as well as the unique aroma and flavor.

In fact, reducing the bitterness of bitter melon is not difficult. By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious stuffed bitter melon soup without any bitterness during Tet, making it suitable for children as well.

To make the bitter melon soup less bitter, it is crucial to choose the right bitter melon. For optimal taste, select dark green, straight, and big-spined fruits.

Additionally, removing the white core inside the bitter melon greatly reduces its bitterness. After washing, cut one side of the bitter melon, remove the seeds, and then scrape off the white core adjacent to the green flesh. This simple step significantly reduces the bitterness.

Before stuffing the meat into the bitter melon, blanch them in boiling water with salt. Then, remove and rinse with cold water or soak in cold water. This method helps reduce the bitterness of the bitter melon while maintaining its vibrant green color.

These three steps are crucial for achieving a bitter melon soup without any bitterness during Tet. After following these steps, proceed to stuff the meat into the bitter melon and cook as usual.

(Source: Compilation)