Bitter Melon and Tofu Salad ゴーヤの白和え

Recipe Highlights My mom never cooked bitter melon, so I came to this vegetable late. My first try didn’t win me over. Later, readers asked me for Japanese bitter melon recipes, and I knew exactly what to make. My Bitter Melon and Tofu Salad dresses this veggie in shiraae (白和え), a mashed tofu and sesame dressing. The dish tastes gentle and mellow, and it won me over! Here’s why I keep coming back to this recipe: Ready in 20 minutes: Quick and simple prep with standard kitchen tools. No mayonnaise needed: Light, healthy, and naturally creamy from mashed tofu. 100% vegan and vegetarian: Packed with clean plant-based protein from medium-firm tofu. Milder bitter flavor: My simple salting and blanching method tames the vegetable’s natural sharp bite. Plus, the sesame’s richness, a little sweetness, and soy sauce’s saltiness are what round out the bitterness—don’t skip any one of them. If you love mashed tofu or bitter melon stir-fry dishes, try my Green Bean Shiraae, Goya Champuru, and Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso recipes next! Table of Contents What is Bitter Melon? Bitter melon—also known as bitter gourd, goya (ゴーヤ), or nigauri (にがうり)—is a tropical vine vegetable pop...