vietnameseshrimpwinter melonpescatarianstir-fryquickweeknight

Bi Dao Xao Tom

Name: Bi Dao Xao Tom
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 180 g shrimp, peeled and deveined; 10 ml fish sauce; 0.5 g ground white pepper; 350 g winter melon, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin bite-size slices; 40 g spring onion, cut into 3 cm lengths; 10 g garlic, finely chopped; 15 ml neutral oil; 10 ml fish sauce; 2 g sugar; 30 ml water

This simple stir-fry combines sweet, tender winter melon with juicy shrimp, aromatic garlic, and fresh spring onion. The result is light, savory, and subtly sweet, with a clean finish that pairs beautifully with hot rice.

15 min

2 servings

170 kcal

Vietnamese

Ingredients

Shrimp marinade

180 gshrimp, peeled and deveined
10 mlfish sauce
0.5 gground white pepper

Stir-fry

350 gwinter melon, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin bite-size slices
40 gspring onion, cut into 3 cm lengths
10 ggarlic, finely chopped
15 mlneutral oil
10 mlfish sauce
2 gsugar
30 mlwater

Instructions

1
Prep everything before heating the pan: peel and seed the winter melon, then slice it thinly so it cooks quickly and evenly. Cut the spring onion and finely chop the garlic.
2
Toss the shrimp with the fish sauce and white pepper. Let it stand while you heat the pan; this short marinade seasons the shrimp without drawing out too much moisture.
3
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until hot, then add the neutral oil. Add the garlic and stir for about 10 seconds until fragrant but not browned, then add the marinated shrimp. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are just turning pink.
4
Add the winter melon and stir-fry for 1 minute to coat it in the oil and shrimp juices. Add the fish sauce, sugar, and water, then keep stir-frying for 2-3 minutes more until the melon turns slightly translucent and is tender-crisp. It should release some moisture but still hold its shape.
5
Add the spring onion and toss for 20-30 seconds until just wilted. Taste and adjust with a few drops more fish sauce if needed, then serve immediately while the shrimp are juicy and the winter melon is still delicate.

Nutrition per serving

170 kcal

Calories

19g

Protein

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

Notes

•Slice the winter melon thinly for a true 15-minute finish; thick chunks will need longer and may water out the stir-fry.
•Do not overcook the shrimp: remove from the heat as soon as they are opaque and lightly curled.
•This dish is excellent with steamed jasmine rice.
•If your winter melon is very watery, cook over high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan.

Background

Bi dao xao tom is a light home-style Vietnamese stir-fry that reflects the cuisine's preference for quick cooking and clean, balanced flavors. Winter melon is widely used in Vietnamese soups and stir-fries, especially in warm weather because it is considered refreshing and delicate.

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