Main Course · Lunch · Asian ·

Savory Viet Dăm Bầu Cua Chua

Name: Savory Viet Dăm Bầu Cua Chua
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 medium-sized bitter melons, halved and cored; 250g fresh crab meat; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp cornstarch, diluted in 1 tbsp water; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Green onions, sliced

A flavorful Vietnamese dish of tender bitter melon stuffed with succulent crab, blended with traditional Asian spices for a dish full of character and richness.

4.3(873 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 26, 2025

Savory Viet Dăm Bầu Cua Chua — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Bitter Melon

For the Crab Filling

For the Sauce

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 112 kcal
Protein: 13 g
Carbs: 11.5 g
Fat: 1 g
Fiber: 2.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 449 kcal
Protein: 52 g
Carbs: 46 g
Fat: 4 g
Fiber: 11 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 medium-sized bitter melons, halved and cored	96	6	18	1	8
250g fresh crab meat	200	40	0	2	0
1 small onion, finely chopped	44	1	10	0	2
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 tbsp fish sauce	9	1	1	0	0
1 tsp sugar	16	0	4	0	0
1 tsp ground black pepper	5	0	1	0	1
2 cups chicken broth	30	3	2	1	0
1 tbsp soy sauce	10	1	1	0	0
1 tbsp oyster sauce	15	0	4	0	0
1 tsp cornstarch diluted in 1 tbsp water	8	0	2	0	0
Fresh cilantro, chopped	2	0	0	0	0
Green onions, sliced	5	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Crab Filling

1
Combine Filling Ingredients
In a bowl, combine crab meat, onion, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper.
2
Marinate the Mixture
Mix well and let it marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
3
Advance to Melon Prep
While marinating, proceed to prepare the bitter melon.

Preparing the Bitter Melon

1
Slice and Core
Slice the bitter melon in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and pith.
Tip: Use a spoon to gently scrape out the core of the bitter melon for a neat cavity.
2
Blanch the Melon
Blanch in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to reduce bitterness.
3
Drain and Cool
Drain and cool under running cold water, then pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Tip: Ensure the bitter melon is thoroughly drained to avoid excess bitterness in the dish.

How to Make Savory Viet Dăm Bầu Cua Chua

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Stuffing
Fill each bitter melon half with the marinated crab filling, packing tightly.
2
Simmering
In a large pan, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, and oyster sauce; bring to a gentle simmer.
3
Thickening
Add the cornstarch mixture to the simmering sauce to thicken, stirring constantly.