Authentic Thai Recipe Ingredient: Water morning glory

Photo of Water morning glory and How it is Used in Authentic Thai Recipes.
Photo of Water morning glory and How it is Used in Authentic Thai Recipes.

Water morning glory

ผักบุ้ง (Pak Boong; Phak bung)
Known as Pak Boong in Thailand, Ipomoea aquatica is a semiaquatic, tropical plant grown as a leaf vegetable. It is found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, although it is not known where it originated. This plant is known in English as water spinach, river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, or by the more ambiguous names "Chinese spinach", "Swamp cabbage" and "Kangkong" in Southeast Asia.

In Thailand the large variety (Phak bung chin) is mostly eaten stir-fried or in soup. Phat Phak Bung Fai Dang (ผัดผักบุ้งไฟแดง่) is a popular dish in Thailand which uses water spinach as the vegetable ingredient, seasoned with garlic, chilies, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. The small variety (Phak bung na) is generally served raw with Som tam or with Nam phrik.

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