🇲🇾 Malaysia · Food
Stir-Fried Water Spinach
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇲🇾 MYAlso known as Kangkung, this classic dish features crunchy water spinach stir-fried in a pungent, umami-rich shrimp paste and chili sauce.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow 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
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.
🇲🇾 MYMundo Match
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