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October 3, 2026 · 5 min read

Goya Champuru: Okinawa's Signature Dish and How to Handle the Bitterness

If one dish stands for Okinawa, it is goya champuru: bitter melon stir-fried with tofu and egg. "Champuru" means "mixed," and the name fits, because it is a stir-fry where everything goes into the same pan. Traditional versions often add pork. The one in our book leaves it out.

What is goya?

Goya is bitter melon, a knobbly green gourd with a distinctive bitter flavor. You can find it in Asian grocery stores, sometimes labeled "bitter melon" or "bitter gourd." Pick firm, bright green ones.

Handling the bitterness

1. Cut the goya in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and the white spongy part with a spoon.
2. Slice it into ¼ in (5 mm) half-moons and sprinkle with salt.
3. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse, drain, and squeeze lightly.

This step reduces the bitterness but does not remove it. The bitterness is part of the dish's character, so do not expect, or aim for, a mild vegetable.

The rest of the dish

• The tofu. Use firm tofu. Wrap it in paper towels and drain it for 10 minutes, then crumble it by hand into large pieces.
• The heat. Use a large skillet over high heat. Stir-fry the goya for 2 minutes, add the tofu, and cook for 3 more minutes, until the tofu is lightly browned.
• The egg. Beat 3 eggs with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, pour them over the skillet, and stir for about 1 minute, until set.
• To serve. Serve immediately, with black pepper and, if you like, katsuobushi (bonito flakes). Skip the katsuobushi for a vegetarian version.

At a glance

Serves 4. About 20 minutes of prep and 10 of cooking; medium difficulty. Per serving: about 210 kcal, 14 g fat, 18 g protein, and 4 g fiber. These values are estimates calculated from the ingredients.

Get the full recipe

The exact steps are on our free recipes page. Goya champuru is also one of the 60 recipes in Okinawa in Your Kitchen, a book of broths, tofu, fish, vegetables, and seaweed, with a pantry guide and a 7-day plan.

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Nutrition values are estimates calculated from the ingredients. This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice.