Stir-fried Sliced Pork with Water Bamboo is a classic Jiangnan home-style dish. The water bamboo is crisp and sweet, while the pork slices are tender and savory. Sautéed with minced garlic and colored with green and red chilies, it’s savory with a rich garlic aroma and natural sweetness. Stir-fried over high heat for that “wok hei” flavor—perfect with steamed rice or noodles.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 3 water bamboos (choose bright white, firm ones; cut vertically into thick shreds)
· 150g lean pork (tenderloin or front leg, thinly sliced)
· 1/2 green bell pepper and 1/2 red bell pepper (shredded, for color and flavor)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 4-5 cloves minced garlic (about 15g, the key to the aroma)
· A small piece of minced ginger (about 5g)
· 1 stalk scallion (cut into sections, for garnish)
🌴 Seasonings:
· 2 tbsp light soy sauce (about 30ml; 15ml for marinating, 15ml for stir-frying)
· 1 tbsp oyster sauce (about 15g)
· A little dark soy sauce (for color)
· 1 tbsp cooking wine (about 15ml, for marinating)
· 1 tsp cornstarch (about 5g, for marinating, locks in moisture)
· 1/2 egg white (for marinating, makes it tender)
· 1 tsp cooking oil (about 5ml, for marinating, prevents sticking)
· 1 tsp sugar (about 5g, to enhance flavor)
· A pinch of white pepper powder
· Salt, to taste
· Cooking oil, as needed
🌴 Instructions:
- Marinate the Pork
Slice the lean pork thinly against the grain. Place in a bowl and add 1 tbsp (15ml) light soy sauce, 1 tbsp (15ml) cooking wine, half an egg white, 1 tsp (5g) cornstarch, and 1 tsp (5ml) cooking oil. Mix well and marinate for 15 minutes. ⚠️ Note: Cutting against the grain is key; cutting with the grain makes it tough. The egg white and cornstarch lock in moisture for a tender texture. I’ve tried cutting it with the grain before, and it was very chewy. - Prepare the Water Bamboo
Peel the water bamboo and cut it vertically into thick shreds. You can soak them in clean water to prevent oxidation. ⚠️ Note: Cutting them vertically into thick shreds helps keep the water bamboo crisp and improves the texture. - Stir-fry the Pork
Heat oil in a pan, add the marinated pork, and stir-fry over high heat until it changes color. Remove immediately and set aside. ⚠️ Note: Don’t overcook the pork; remove it as soon as it changes color. - Sauté the Aromatics
Leave a little oil in the pan, add the minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. ⚠️ Note: The garlic is the soul of this dish—don’t burn it. - Stir-fry the Water Bamboo
Turn to high heat, add the drained water bamboo shreds and the green and red bell pepper shreds, and stir-fry quickly for 1-2 minutes until the water bamboo is slightly softened and translucent at the edges. Add 1 tbsp (15ml) light soy sauce, 1 tbsp (15g) oyster sauce, a little dark soy sauce, and 1 tsp (5g) sugar. Stir-fry to combine. ⚠️ Note: Keep the heat high to keep the water bamboo crisp. Cooking it too long will make it soft and watery. - Combine and Serve
Add the cooked pork and stir-fry over high heat for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with white pepper and add salt to taste. Stir-fry quickly to combine. ⚠️ Note: Don’t keep the pork in the pan for too long—mix well and serve immediately to keep it tender. - Serve
Turn off the heat, sprinkle with scallion sections, and serve hot. The water bamboo is crisp and sweet, the pork is tender and savory, and the garlic aroma is rich.
💡 More Delicious Recipes:
If you enjoy this crisp and savory flavor, you should also try my [Stir-fried Water Bamboo, Dried Tofu and Chilies] for a vegetarian twist, or my [Black Pepper Beef] for a rich, peppery kick.
Want to explore more easy-to-make dishes? Check out my full [Home-style Dishes] category!
💡 Tips:
Always slice the pork thinly against the grain and marinate with egg white and cornstarch for tenderness. Stir-fry the pork first and add it back at the end—don’t overcook it. Cut the water bamboo vertically into thick shreds for a crispier texture. The garlic is the soul of this dish—don’t skip it. Keep the heat high to keep the water bamboo crisp. Add salt at the very end to keep the pork tender.
❤️ Click the homepage for more delicious recipes!