Virtual Workcamp: InterCulturalFoodChallenge

Bitter soup

Bitter soup is a dish of South Vietnamese people but it is still widely enjoyed in the other two parts of the country. This is an indispensable dish in the South Vietnamese New Year days, with the meaning that the bad luck, hardships in the old year will pass and the lucky and good things in the new year will come.

Bitter melon has many different uses thanks to the abundant amount of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, lipid, protein, ... Abundant C along with protein will help keep the immune system healthy, thereby improving the body's resistance. Not only that, bitter melon also works against viruses, prevent the spread, their development in the body, so that it can destroy cancer-causing cells. A bitter melon is also used for people with diabetes by reducing blood glucose and preventing the absorption of that substance into cells. Because bitter melon is welded, non-toxic, it also helps to cool the liver, laxative, diuretic, stimulate eating, support the digestive system, beautify the skin, ...

After the bitter melon is cooked, add scallions, cilantro has cut in, wait a few minutes, then turn off the heat. Remove bitter melon, cut into small pieces with small knife, put in bowl and add broth. You can enjoy with the dishes in Tet tray such as braised meat, banh chung, banh tet, pickled onions, Cha lua, ...

However, because this fruit has a characteristic bitter taste, not everyone can enjoy the dishes made from it.