Tumis Kangkung (Garlic Chili Water Spinach Stir-Fry)
In short: Water spinach stir-fried over high heat with garlic, shallot and red chili until the leaves wilt and the stems stay crisp, ready in 15 minutes. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Tumis kangkung is one of the quickest and most common vegetable dishes in Indonesia, and nearly every home and warung cooks it. Hollow-stemmed water spinach goes into a very hot wok with garlic, shallot and chili and is tossed for a couple of minutes, so the leaves wilt while the stems stay crisp. It goes well with rice, fried chicken or fish.
Instructions
- Wash the water spinach well, then shake it dry. Keep the stems and leaves in separate piles.
- Heat a wok over high heat until it smokes lightly. Add the oil, then the garlic, shallots and chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, until fragrant and just turning golden.
- Add the stems and toss for 1 minute.
- Add the leaves, soy sauce, sugar, salt and water. Toss constantly for 1 to 2 minutes, until the leaves have just wilted and the stems are bright green and crisp.
- Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve right away, while it is still hot and crunchy.
Tips
- Use the hottest heat your stove allows and keep things moving. Overcooked water spinach turns dull, limp and watery. If the pan is too small, cook in two batches.
- For a sweeter, stall-style version, stir in 1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) with the soy sauce and leave out the sugar. For more heat, add a few extra bird's eye chilies with the garlic.
Questions and answers
What can I use instead of water spinach?
Baby spinach, pak choy, choy sum or green beans work. Adjust the cooking time: spinach needs only 30 seconds, while green beans need about 4 minutes.
Where can I buy water spinach?
Look in Asian grocery stores, sometimes labeled kangkung, ong choy or morning glory. Choose bunches with crisp, hollow stems and no yellow leaves.
Is water spinach safe to eat raw?
It is best cooked. Raw water spinach grown in water may carry parasites, so wash it thoroughly and cook it until the stems are hot.
How long does it take to make Tumis Kangkung (Garlic Chili Water Spinach Stir-Fry)?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tumis Kangkung (Garlic Chili Water Spinach Stir-Fry)?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
