15 Best Mung Bean Recipes: Sweet Snacks To Savory Dishes!

Mung beans are a culinary treasure trove, offering a world of flavors and textures. While they may not be as well-known as their green counterparts, mung beans have been a staple in Asian cuisine for centuries. Originating from India, these tiny legumes have spread to become a beloved ingredient across the continent. But what if you’re new to the world of mung beans? Fear not! With their mild and nutty flavor profile, they pair surprisingly well with a variety of dishes.

In fact, once the outer hull is removed, they’re known as split mung beans or yellow mung beans – a popular ingredient in many Asian recipes. And when soaked and sprouted for a day or two, they become tender and delicious mung bean sprouts. To help you get started on your mung bean journey, we’ve compiled a list of 15 mouth-watering recipes that showcase the versatility of these little green wonders. From sweet snacks to savory dishes and hearty soups, there’s something for everyone.

So why not start with a Sprouted Mung Bean Burger for your next homey snack time or warm up with a comforting bowl of Mung Bean Porridge In Coconut Milk? And don’t forget to save the best for last – our 15th recipe is perfect for a picnic or cookout with friends.

Sticky Rice & Mung Bean Cakes

Sticky Rice & Mung Bean Cakes

While traditionally linked to the Vietnamese New Year celebrations, this recipe is versatile enough to be enjoyed at any festive gathering. The beauty of these cakes lies in their adaptability – both sweet and savory fillings can be used to create a unique flavor profile. For this particular version, we’ve opted for a savory variant filled with mung beans and pork. With their cylindrical shape and easy-to-make nature, these cakes are perfect for intimate gatherings or afternoon tea parties.

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with a significant Asian population, you might be able to find these cakes at your local grocery store or convenience store. However, we highly recommend taking the time to make them from scratch – the end result is truly superior.

Nokdujeon (Mung Bean Pancakes)

Nokdujeon (Mung Bean Pancakes)

Nokdu bindaetteok, also known as nokdujeon, is a mouthwatering savory pancake that gets its unique flavor from ground mung beans. As fans of the Netflix Street Snack show may recall, this dish is not only a beloved holiday treat but also a popular street food in Seoul’s Gwangjang Market. The pancakes offer a delightful texture contrast between their crunchy exterior and soft interior, with a nutty and delicious taste that’s hard to resist.

What’s more, they’re packed with an array of flavors and textures from the addition of ground pork, bean sprouts, gosari (fern brakes), scallions, and spicy kimchi. Once you try these pancakes, they’re sure to become a staple in your household breakfast rotation.

Vietnamese Mung Bean Dessert

Vietnamese Mung Bean Dessert

This Vietnamese delight is another scrumptious addition to your culinary repertoire. The foundation of this ‘che’-style dessert lies in the harmonious blend of green mung beans, tapioca pearls, and creamy coconut milk.

At its core, the recipe relies on dried green mung beans, which are transformed by a subtle sweetness courtesy of sugar and the richness of coconut milk. The addition of tapioca pearls adds a delightful chewiness to each bite.

To complete this wholesome treat, simply sprinkle crushed salted peanuts and shredded coconut flakes on top, then indulge in its delightful flavors.

Mung Bean Scrambled Eggs

Mung Bean Scrambled Eggs

Get ready to revolutionize your omelet-making game! Imagine having a versatile breakfast option that can be whipped up in just 7 minutes, and is perfect for scramblng eggs, cooking omelets, or even making other dishes that typically call for regular eggs. The secret ingredient? Mung beans, which take center stage in this innovative vegan egg recipe. Unlike traditional tofu-based scrambled eggs, this recipe uses mung beans as a game-changing substitute.

Simply blend the ingredients together, then heat them up in a frying pan. Feel free to add some flavor and texture with tomatoes, green onions, mushrooms, or vegan cheese – the possibilities are endless!

Sprouted Mung Bean Burger

Sprouted Mung Bean Burger

These moong dal burgers are an innovative spin on traditional Indian cuisine. To make them, you won’t need anything out of the ordinary – just common kitchen staples. In fact, you can even omit the turmeric if you don’t have it on hand.

As they sizzle away in the pan, the aroma wafting through your home is a tantalizing preview of their ultimate deliciousness.

At the heart of this vegan veggie burger are mung bean sprouts, which are served on a toasted whole wheat bun and topped with a refreshing mint cilantro chutney. The only part that requires some patience is sprouting the mung beans – beyond that, the rest of the process is surprisingly straightforward.

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser, especially among kids, these burgers are sure to be a hit!

Mung Bean Curd With Chili Oil Sauce

Savor the bold flavors of China’s street food scene by recreating Liang fen in your own kitchen. This delectable dish is a staple of local cuisine, boasting a rich, spicy sauce that elevates the tender mung bean jelly to new heights. While preparation methods may vary across regions – think different cutting and blending techniques for the bean curd – the end result is always mouthwateringly delicious.

In fact, you’ll be hooked from the very first bite, craving this refreshing treat all year round. Perfect for a summer evening or any time you need a flavorful pick-me-up, Liang fen’s unique balance of hot and cool flavors will leave you wanting more.

Green Mung Bean & Spinach With Rice

Green Mung Bean & Spinach With Rice

For a nourishing family meal that’s sure to please, look no further than this recipe! The star of the show is the harmonious combination of mung beans and spinach, which are slow-cooked in a flavorful broth infused with clarified butter, aromatic spices, and fragrant herbs. As the green mung beans simmer away, they develop a silky smooth texture that’s simply irresistible.

Meanwhile, the fresh spinach adds a pop of vibrant color and a tangy, slightly acidic flavor that perfectly balances out the dish. To take it to the next level, add a pinch of garam masala and a squeeze of lemon juice for an unbeatable blend of flavors. Serve it up with some fluffy rice or crusty toast for a truly satisfying meal.

Yellow Split Mung Soup With Coconut Milk

This comforting curried soup made with coconut milk is a cinch to prepare and packed with hearty ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied. The best part? You likely already have all the necessary pantry staples on hand, making it an ultra-affordable meal option.

To elevate this humble soup, add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro or green onion for a bright, peppery flavor. Alternatively, squeeze in some lemon juice or dash with white vinegar for an added tanginess.

If you prefer a spicy kick, crushed red pepper flakes can be used to give the dish a robust finish. And let’s not forget to serve it up with a side of grilled naan – this soup is meant to be enjoyed with a crispy, buttery accompaniment.

Vegetarian Filipino Monggo Guisado (Mung Bean Stew)

Vegetarian Filipino Monggo Guisado (Mung Bean Stew)

Monggo guisado, a quintessential Filipino dish, embodies warmth and comfort. This traditional meal is more than just a filling option – it’s an invitation to cozy up and savor the flavors. With its widespread availability of ingredients, you can easily recreate this culinary delight in your own kitchen.

What sets monggo guisado apart from other dishes is its versatility. While pork, chicken, or beef are common choices, the dish can also be enjoyed meatless.

This adaptability makes it an excellent option for those transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle, as mung beans provide sustained energy and satisfaction.

But don’t think this variation is bland! When paired with crispy fried mackerel, the combination becomes indulgent and rich. Moreover, the dish’s malleability allows for endless experimentation – simply season it correctly, and your vegetarian mung bean stew will be a true culinary triumph.

Mung Bean Falafel

Mung Bean Falafel

This innovative take on the classic falafel recipe puts a fascinating Indian spin on the traditional dish by substituting mung beans for chickpeas. The result is a delightful variation that offers a welcome change of pace from the usual fritter fare. Mung beans, with their smaller size, sweeter flavor, and nuttier taste, offer a distinct contrast to the more robust taste of chickpeas. Additionally, they cook up quickly and possess a tender texture that’s hard to resist.

Inspired by both Egyptian and Indian culinary traditions, these Mung Bean Falafels are a masterful blend of flavors, featuring a mung bean paste seasoned with fresh coriander, curry powder, sesame seeds, and garlic. Unlike traditional falafel recipes that require soaking chickpeas for an entire day before blending into a coarse dough and forming into balls for frying, this recipe simplifies the process while maintaining its signature taste and texture.

With its ease of preparation and delectable result, you’ll be indulging in these scrumptious treats in no time.

Mung Bean Soup

Mung Bean Soup

This substantial soup is surprisingly quick to prepare, requiring only a few straightforward steps. The harmonious blend of flavors stems from the combination of mung beans, Malunggay (moringa) leaves, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and onion. The velvety texture, achieved through the coconut milk and the skins of the mung beans as they peel off during cooking, adds to the dish’s appeal.

A delightful freshness is imparted by the addition of the Malunggay leaves, which bring a subtle sweetness and bitterness with grassy undertones reminiscent of matcha. If Malunggay leaves are not available, baby spinach can be used as a substitute, chopped and added in the same way, providing a similar depth of flavor.

Mung Bean Porridge In Coconut Milk

Mung Bean Porridge In Coconut Milk

Imagine starting your day with a bowl of velvety smooth sweet potato dessert. This creamy delight is a staple in Malaysia and Indonesia, but its sweetness makes it perfect for serving as a treat any time of day.

The best part? You can easily recreate this indulgent dish in the comfort of your own kitchen, regardless of where you are in the world.

To prepare this mouthwatering porridge, simply combine cooked sweet potatoes with cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and coconut milk in a single saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to ensure the sweet potatoes retain a pleasant crunch.

Serve it hot and you’ll not only be warming your belly, but also spreading warmth and joy to those around you.

Mung Bean & Coconut Curry

Mung Bean & Coconut Curry

Savoring the authentic flavors of India, this vegan curry is a true culinary treasure. With its simplicity in cooking, whether using an Instant Pot or stovetop, this recipe stands out for its straightforward preparation. A medley of ingredients including dried mung beans, crushed tomatoes in water, pungent garlic and ginger, and fresh cilantro come together to create a delightful dish.

When paired with spicy masala, creamy coconut milk, and a squeeze of lime, this mung bean curry transforms into an excellent vegetarian option. Enjoy it as a warm and comforting soup or pair it with heartier accompaniments like brown rice and fluffy naan bread for a satisfying meal.

Moong & Karela Curry

Why not try something new? If your kids aren’t fond of bitter gourd due to its unique taste, consider this recipe as an opportunity to introduce it in a way that might just win them over. The combination of mung beans and bitter gourd is sure to be a hit. Additionally, the versatility of this dish allows you to add other vegetables like potatoes, French beans, or carrots, making it a well-rounded meal.

The surprise addition of bitter gourds in the curry adds an intriguing layer of bitterness that complements the rich coconut-based sauce. Serve with rice or chapatis for a truly satisfying experience.

Spinach & Mung Bean Sprout Pizza

Spinach & Mung Bean Sprout Pizza

This culinary journey concludes with a savory pizza recipe that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates. The versatility of mung bean sprouts shines in this spinach-infused crust, perfectly seasoned with spices.

What sets this crust apart is its impressive array of dietary restrictions – it’s gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free, making it an excellent option for those seeking a satisfying meal without compromise. And the best part?

You can customize it to your heart’s content with your preferred vegetarian meat alternative or baked tofu.

If you find yourself sans oats, fear not – chickpea flour serves as a reliable substitute for the crust’s binding agent. This innovative take on traditional pizza is sure to be a hit at parties and barbecues, delighting your friends and family with its unique flavors.

The bottom line

It’s likely that by now, you’re well-versed in the various applications of mung beans, often touted as a culinary powerhouse. Their versatility has made them a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world.

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