Though often served as a side dish, morning glory is one of the most beloved vegetable dishes in Thailand. Here’s the traditional recipe for Morning Glory.

What is Morning Glory in Thai Cuisine?

Morning glory is a staple in Thai cuisine and is popular across many Asian countries. This dish is incredibly easy and quick to make, featuring water spinach with garlic, chili peppers, and a savory-sweet sauce. It’s enjoyed by Thais at any meal of the day, whether breakfast or as a side to a main dish.

This type of spinach, found in every Thai market, is known for its long, hollow stems and bright green leaves that are around 30-60 cm in length, typically sold in large bunches.

Why is it called "Morning Glory"?

The term "morning glory" refers to Chinese water spinach, *Ipomoea Aquatica* (also known as water convolvulus), which belongs to the "Morning Glory" genus. Its trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in the morning. In Thai, it’s called “Pak Bung.”

Traditional Morning Glory recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients for 1 serving:

• 1 bunch of Pak Bung (water spinach)
• 2 fresh Thai chilies
• 4 garlic cloves

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 tablespoon of full-sodium Thai soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon light Thai soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

How to make Morning Glory

1. Prepare the Water Spinach: Trim the roots from the water spinach, wash, and cut into 8-10 cm pieces. Place in a large bowl.
2. Prepare the Chilies: Crush or chop the chilies to your preference for spice level (remove seeds to reduce heat).
3. Prepare the Garlic: Peel and crush the garlic cloves.
4. Crush Together: In a mortar, crush the garlic and chilies together to release their flavors.
5. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the garlic and chilies with the oyster sauce, full-sodium Thai soy sauce, and light soy sauce. Pour over the water spinach.
6. Stir-Fry Quickly: Heat a wok over high heat, add the cooking oil. When hot, add the entire mixture at once.
7. Cook Briefly: Stir-fry quickly, adding a bit of water if needed, until the water spinach wilts, and the stems become tender yet crisp, about 1-2 minutes. Stir continuously.
8. Serve Immediately: Serve with steamed rice, pairing with a meat, fish, or tofu dish.

Enjoy!

Good to know:
Since morning glory is cooked quickly, it can be seasoned to your taste. Feel free to skip the chili if you prefer non-spicy food! You can also make it vegetarian by omitting the oyster sauce.

Florine Dergelet