ok, so the recipe of goya champuru that i love. here we go! (sorry, no picture yet)


1 goya (bitter melon)
1 block firm (momen) tofu
1/2 onion, sliced (optional)
250 grams thinly sliced pork
2 eggs, beaten
1-3 tbsp sesame oil
salt & pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce


prepare tofu by wrapping in a towel and placing a plate on top (i put my tofu on a plate as well, to keep the counter clean). allow tofu to drain for at least twenty minutes. slice goya in half lengthwise and then scoop out the middle with a spoon.



turn one half with the cut side down, and slice into very thin pieces.



slice the other half of goya.

put slices in a bowl and toss them with lots of salt. let sit for twenty minutes. after tofu has drained, cut into bite-sized pieces. rinse goya and drain. cut meat into bite-sized pieces.

ok, after all that prep, let's cook! (i know, this is not a quick meal, but it's really yummy!)

heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a frying pan or wok. add meat (and add a little salt and pepper if desired, but remember there will be soy sauce added at the end) and fry until browned. add goya (and onion) and stir-fry, adding oil if needed. after goya starts to soften, add tofu. continue to stir-fry until tofu is heated through. add beaten eggs, stirring to cook quickly. turn off heat, add soy sauce and stir through. and you're done!

last week i bought two heads of cabbage for fifty yen. good deal, don't you think? then, over the weekend, thinking he was getting a bargain, bought two heads of cabbage for eighty yen! yes, i have loads of cabbage over here. i've made coleslaw, miso soup with cabbage and an interesting dish with ground beef simmered in chicken stock between leaves of cabbage (very yummy) but that about reaches the end of my cabbage recipes. any ideas out there (besides chopped cabbage). i guess i should plan on making okonomiyaki this weekend, but what's your best cabbage recipe? something easy and with ingredients i can get here in japan please!