Bitter Melon Day (Gōyā no Hi)

What Is Bitter Melon Day?

May 8 is "Goya Day" (Bitter Melon Day), established in 1997 by Okinawa Prefecture and JA Okinawa Keizairen (now JA Okinawa). The date comes from a wordplay on "gō (5) yā (8)" — sounding like "gōyā," the Okinawan name for bitter melon — and from the fact that goya shipments increase from May. The day aims to promote the appeal of goya (also known as bitter gourd or bitter melon) and boost its consumption.

The Background of Bitter Melon Day

Goya is one of Okinawa's signature vegetables, well-loved for its resistance to summer heat and high nutritional value. The dish "goya champuru" — a stir-fry made with goya — is especially famous nationwide as a representative Okinawan dish. August 5th, the reversed number, is known as "Ura (Reverse) Goya Day," and between May 8th and August 5th, campaigns and events are held to promote goya inside and outside Okinawa.

Characteristics of Bitter Melon

• Distinctive bitterness: The bitterness is concentrated in the green skin, and is loved as an appetizing, summery flavor.
• Rich in vitamin C: Vitamin C is generally sensitive to heat, but the vitamin C in goya is said to hold up relatively well when cooked.
• A summer staple: It comes into season in the hot months and is an essential part of the summer table in Okinawa.
• Popular for home gardens: Often grown as a "green curtain" on trellises, providing natural shade as well as food.

Fun Facts About Bitter Melon

• On Okinawa's main island it's usually called "gōyā" with long vowels, while elsewhere in Japan the shorter "gōya" is also common. Its standard Japanese names are "tsurureishi" and "nigauri."
• "Tsurureishi" means "lychee on a vine," because its bumpy fruit and the sweet coating around its ripe seeds resemble the lychee (reishi).
• The bitterness can be reduced by salting and rubbing the slices, or by briefly boiling them.
• "Champuru" means "mixed together" in the Okinawan language and refers to stir-fries of tofu, vegetables, and other ingredients.
• Goya is said to have become a common sight in supermarkets across Japan only relatively recently.

Ideas for Enjoying Bitter Melon Day

• Try making goya champuru at home
• Experiment with other preparations, like goya salad or tempura
• Try growing your own goya in a home garden
• Visit an Okinawan restaurant and enjoy authentic local flavors

May 8: A Day to Savor Summer Goya

Bitter Melon Day is a great opportunity to enjoy this vegetable that's perfectly suited to summer. With a little preparation, its distinctive bitterness can become a real treat. As the season approaches, why not try some goya dishes for yourself?