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Malaysia · Food

Stir-Fried Water Spinach

40 min
110 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · August 4, 2026

Stir-Fried Water Spinach🇲🇾AI-generated image

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

13 matches

Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Stir-Fried Water Spinach. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Stir-fry94 recipes from 24 countriesSee all 13 matches

Also known as Kangkung, this classic dish features crunchy water spinach stir-fried in a pungent, umami-rich shrimp paste and chili sauce.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Stir-Fried Water Spinach from another cuisine is Stir-Fried Water Spinach (Indonesia): the two share 73% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    Thoroughly wash the water spinach and cut into 5cm segments, separating the thick stems from the leafy parts.

  • 2

    Prepare a spice paste by pounding the shallots, garlic, chilies, and shrimp paste in a mortar until smooth.

  • 3

    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over high heat until it starts to smoke slightly.

  • 4

    Add the spice paste to the wok and fry for 1 minute until it becomes incredibly fragrant and darkens.

  • 5

    Toss in the thicker stems of the water spinach first and stir-fry for 1 minute before adding the leafy tops.

  • 6

    Continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the spinach is tender yet still crisp and vibrant green.

  • 7

    Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the vegetables to cut through the saltiness of the shrimp paste.

  • 8

    Transfer immediately to a warm serving plate and serve while the spinach is still hot and crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stir-Fried Water Spinach?

Stir-Fried Water Spinach is a vegetable dish from Malaysia made by sautéing water spinach with shrimp paste, chili, garlic, and shallot. It is typically served as a savory side dish during lunch or dinner.

Is water spinach the same as regular spinach?

No, water spinach has hollow stems and a crunchier texture that holds up well to stir-frying.

What if I can't find shrimp paste?

You can substitute with a high-quality fish sauce, though it lacks the signature deep earthy flavor of fermented shrimp.

How do I clean it properly?

Soak in salted water for 10 minutes to remove any soil trapped in the stems, then rinse repeatedly.

Should it be very spicy?

The spice level is adjustable, but it is traditionally intended to be quite zesty to balance the shrimp paste.

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