Goya Champuru

User Reviews

4.8

99 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    40 mins

  • Servings

    2

  • Calories

    713 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Japanese

Goya Champuru

Goya Champuru is a stir-fry dish featuring bitter melon combined with tofu, pork belly, and eggs, accented by soy sauce and a mild homemade katsuo dashi (bonito broth). The preparation includes salting the bitter melon to reduce its bitterness, pressing tofu to remove excess water, and cooking each ingredient separately before combining. This dish offers a balance of bitterness, savory richness, and texture contrasts in a traditional Okinawan style.

Description

This Goya Champuru recipe starts by preparing a flavorful katsuo dashi, made by steeping dried bonito flakes in boiling water to create a light broth. The bitter melon is sliced thinly and salted to mellow its characteristic bitterness, then rinsed before cooking. Medium-firm tofu is pressed to drain excess moisture, ensuring it crisps nicely when fried. Pork belly slices are cooked until browned, adding savory depth to the dish.

The ingredients are fried separately in neutral oil to achieve distinct textures, then combined with eggs and seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. The process results in a stir-fry where the bitterness of the melon contrasts with the richness of pork and the softness of tofu, all brought together by the umami-rich katsuo dashi. The eggs add a tender binding texture throughout the dish.

Goya Champuru represents a balanced meal incorporating protein and vegetables, served as a main course. The recipe highlights traditional Okinawan techniques such as salting the bitter melon to modify its flavor. Adjusting seasoning to taste and managing ingredient moisture ensures the final dish has appealing textures and layered flavors typical of this regional specialty.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 bitter melon (8 oz, 227 g)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt for the bitter melon, Diamond Crystal brand
  • 14 oz tofu medium-firm, aka momen dofu
  • 6 lices pork belly sliced
  • 2 egg large, 50 g each, without shell
  • Tbsp neutral oil (divided; to fry the tofu, bitter melon, and pork)
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt Diamond Crystal brand
  • tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce

For the Katsuo Dashi

  • 3 Tbsp katsuobushi I use 1 (3 g) packet and more for garnish, dried bonito flakes
  • ¼ cup water 4 Tbsp, boiling

Instructions

  1. Gather all the ingredients.

To Prepare the Ingredients

  1. First, make the katsuo dashi. Add 3 Tbsp katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) into a measuring cup and add ¼ cup boiling water. Let it steep until you’re ready to cook. Right before you start cooking, strain and remove the katsuobushi (you can reserve it to make Homemade Furikake Rice Seasoning). Tip: Alternately, you could use a dashi packet or dashi powder in a pinch or Vegan Dashi for vegan/vegetarian.
  2. Cut 1 bitter melon in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds and inner white pith.
  3. Thinly slice the bitter melon crosswise about ⅛ inch (3–4 mm) thick. Sprinkle 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt and toss well. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, wrap 14 oz medium-firm tofu (momen dofu) with a paper towel. Place a heavy flat object, like a cutting board, on top of the tofu to squeeze out the water. I use flat trays to sandwich the tofu and place a marble mortar on top.
  5. After 10 minutes, quickly rinse the bitter melon with water and drain well. I use a salad spinner to get rid of the moisture easily.
  6. Cut your 6 slices sliced pork belly into 1½-inch (3.8-cm) pieces.
  7. Beat 2 large eggs (50 g each w/o shell) in a medium bowl. Now, tear the drained tofu with your hands into bite-size pieces.

To Cook

  1. Heat a large frying pan and add 1 Tbsp neutral oil. Put the tofu in the pan.
  2. Try not to touch the tofu frequently. Cook until the tofu is browned and the moisture has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Add 1 Tbsp oil to the same frying pan. Add the bitter melon and spread it out in the pan.
  4. Sprinkle with 1 pinch kosher salt and stir-fry until almost cooked. Transfer to a plate.
  5. Add ½ Tbsp oil to the pan and add the pork belly. Season with 1 pinch kosher salt and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir-fry until nice and golden brown.
  6. Add the bitter melon and the tofu back into the frying pan.
  7. Add the katsuo dashi and 1 Tbsp soy sauce. Let the liquid evaporate while you toss to combine.
  8. Taste the dish. Add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, if necessary. Use salt to enhance the flavor instead of adding soy sauce.
  9. Add the beaten eggs to the frying pan and shake it to cook the egg. Once the egg is no longer runny, turn off the heat.

To Serve

  1. Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with more katsuobushi (bonito flakes). Enjoy!

To Store

  1. You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a month.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 713kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 58g (89%) Saturated Fat 24g (120%) Polyunsaturated Fat 10g (59%) Monounsaturated Fat 20g (100%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 229mg (76%) Sodium 755mg (31%) Potassium 518mg (11%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 811IU (16%) Vitamin C 96mg (107%) Calcium 305mg (31%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 713 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 713kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 58g 89%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g 59%
Monounsaturated Fat 20g 100%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 229mg 76%
Sodium 755mg 31%
Potassium 518mg 11%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 811IU 16%
Vitamin C 96mg 107%
Calcium 305mg 31%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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4.8

99 reviews
Excellent

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