If it isn't already in your repertoire, this easy fried rice is about to become a weeknight staple.


How to Make Fried Rice: Perfect Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice is a rice dish consisting of rice fried together with aromatics, vegetables, and protein. Originating in China around the sixth century, fried rice is popular in many Asian cuisines as a staple side dish served with almost every main. Originally a way to serve leftover rice and avoid food waste, fried rice eventually became a favorite dish in its own right. Popular takes on fried rice include:

1. __Yangzhou fried rice__: The most famous style of Chinese fried rice is Yangzhou fried rice, which is typically seasoned with soy sauce or oyster sauce and filled with scallions, veggies, Chinese sausage or barbecued pork, and scrambled eggs.
2. *__Khao phat__*: *Khao phat*, or Thai fried rice, is usually seasoned with fish sauce or shrimp paste and may be filled with pineapple, nuts, or seafood, and topped with a pile of fresh herbs. It's typically made with leftover [jasmine rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-jasmine-rice-tips-and-easy-recipe).
3. __Kimchi__ *__bokkeum bap__*: Kimchi *bokkeum bap*, or kimchi fried rice, is a Korean rice dish made by frying rice with [kimchi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips) and *gochugaru*. It's typically topped with a fried egg and scallion greens.
4. *__Omurice__*: *Omurice* is a Japanese dish of leftover rice fried in ketchup and wrapped inside an omelet.

Long-grain white rice is the classic choice, but short-grain rice and brown rice also work (especially with kimchi fried rice). You can also experiment with different grains, such as quinoa, or even [cauliflower rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice).

Fried rice is best made with day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice has a higher moisture content, so it doesn’t crisp up as well as leftover rice. If you're craving fried rice but don't have any day-old rice on hand, you can prepare a batch of fresh rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, then spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate the rice uncovered for about half an hour to allow it to dry out. (You can also ask a takeout restaurant for a container of stale rice.) 

Since fried rice has so many elements—carbs, veggies, protein—it's generally served as a main dish. In Southeast Asia, fried rice might be served with an herb salad and lime wedges. Sliced cucumbers or pickled vegetables are refreshing sides for fried rice, and it's never a bad idea to put out a jar of hot sauce for anyone who likes their fried rice on the spicier side.

If it isn't already in your repertoire, this easy fried rice is about to become a weeknight staple.


Fried rice is a rice dish consisting of rice fried together with aromatics, vegetables, and protein. Originating in China around the sixth century, fried rice is popular in many Asian cuisines as a staple side dish served with almost every main. Originally a way to serve leftover rice and avoid food waste, fried rice eventually became a favorite dish in its own right. Popular takes on fried rice include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Yangzhou fried rice: The most famous style of Chinese fried rice is Yangzhou fried rice, which is typically seasoned with soy sauce or oyster sauce and filled with scallions, veggies, Chinese sausage or barbecued pork, and scrambled eggs. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Khao phat: Khao phat, or Thai fried rice, is usually seasoned with fish sauce or shrimp paste and may be filled with pineapple, nuts, or seafood, and topped with a pile of fresh herbs. It&#39;s typically made with leftover <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-jasmine-rice-tips-and-easy-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-jasmine-rice-tips-and-easy-recipe","linkCopy":"jasmine rice","category":null}'>jasmine rice</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Kimchi bokkeum bap: Kimchi bokkeum bap, or kimchi fried rice, is a Korean rice dish made by frying rice with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"kimchi","category":null}'>kimchi</a> and gochugaru. It&#39;s typically topped with a fried egg and scallion greens. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Omurice: Omurice is a Japanese dish of leftover rice fried in ketchup and wrapped inside an omelet. </li></ol>

What Is Fried Rice?

Long-grain white rice is the classic choice, but short-grain rice and brown rice also work (especially with kimchi fried rice). You can also experiment with different grains, such as quinoa, or even <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice","linkCopy":"cauliflower rice","category":null}'>cauliflower rice</a>.Fried rice is best made with day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice has a higher moisture content, so it doesn’t crisp up as well as leftover rice. If you&#39;re craving fried rice but don&#39;t have any day-old rice on hand, you can prepare a batch of fresh rice on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, then spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate the rice uncovered for about half an hour to allow it to dry out. (You can also ask a takeout restaurant for a container of stale rice.)

What Is the Best Kind of Rice for Fried Rice?

Since fried rice has so many elements—carbs, veggies, protein—it&#39;s generally served as a main dish. In Southeast Asia, fried rice might be served with an herb salad and lime wedges. Sliced cucumbers or pickled vegetables are refreshing sides for fried rice, and it&#39;s never a bad idea to put out a jar of hot sauce for anyone who likes their fried rice on the spicier side.

What to Serve With Fried Rice?

Perfect Fried Rice Recipe

If it isn&#39;t already in your repertoire, this easy fried rice is about to become a weeknight staple.