Water Spinach and Cuttlefish (Sotong kangkung)

Sotong kangkung or jiu hu eng chai is a traditional hawker dish originating from Malaysia. Apart from the two main ingredients, sotong (cuttlefish) and kangkung (water spinach), the dish is usually made with ingredients such as peanuts, sesame seeds, lime juice, and a sauce consisting of shrimp sauce, hoisin sauce, plum sauce, chili powder, sugar, and water.

The water spinach and the cuttlefish are blanched in water. The water spinach is served on a plate, topped with the cuttlefish, and the sauce is then poured over the two. The dish is sprinkled with ground peanuts and toasted sesame seeds, while a squeeze of lime juice on top is all that’s necessary to finish the dish.

It’s recommended to serve the dish immediately as the water spinach will turn black if left unattended for a long period of time.