This popular egg-topped Japanese fried rice dish is available in diners and breakfast spots across Tokyo and beyond. Ditch the plain scrambled eggs in favor of this flavorful Asian dish, which you can make with leftover rice and pantry staples.

Omurice Recipe: How to Make Japanese Omelet Rice

Omurice (オムライス), also known as omuraisu and Japanese omelet rice, consists of tomato-flavored [fried rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-fried-rice) wrapped in a thin, soft-cooked omelet. One of the key ingredients of this Western-inspired dish is [ketchup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ketchup), which flavors the rice and garnishes the top of the omelet. (Sometimes, chefs place the omelet atop the rice.)

Omurice is an example of “yōshoku,” a Western-influenced style of cooking that became popular in Japanese cuisine during the Meiji era of the mid-nineteenth century when Japan looked to the West as a model for modernity. 

“Omurice” is a portmanteau of the words “omu,” meaning “omelet,” and “raisu,” meaning “rice.”
Once you’ve mastered the basics of this versatile dish, you can craft countless variations with the fillings of your choice. Follow these tips to make the most of your Japanese omurice: 

1. __Cook the egg just until it sets__. One of the key elements of omurice is a soft, supple, slightly undercooked omelet, which adds creaminess and moisture to this dish. Cook the egg until the bottom of the omelet is just set before removing it from the heat source. 
2. __Experiment with additions__. You can add many ingredients to the fried rice base of this recipe, from any type of day-old brown or white rice to leftover veggies to cooked proteins like chicken breast, boneless chicken thighs, steak, ham, or sausage. Garnish the omelet with [kimchi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips), thinly sliced green onions, and other tasty toppings for an added layer of flavor. 
3. __Change up the condiments__. Ketchup is the most traditional condiment choice for omurice, but feel free to garnish with alternative condiments, like [Japanese mayo](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/japanese-mayonnaise-recipe), Sriracha, [tonkatsu sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tonkatsu-sauce-recipe) demi-glace, and more. 
4. __Store properly__. It’s best to eat omurice right after you make it, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
This popular egg-topped Japanese fried rice dish is available in diners and breakfast spots across Tokyo and beyond. Ditch the plain scrambled eggs in favor of this flavorful Asian dish, which you can make with leftover rice and pantry staples.

Omurice (オムライス), also known as omuraisu and Japanese omelet rice, consists of tomato-flavored <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-fried-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-fried-rice","linkCopy":"fried rice","category":null}'>fried rice</a> wrapped in a thin, soft-cooked omelet. One of the key ingredients of this Western-inspired dish is <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ketchup' 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-homemade-ketchup","linkCopy":"ketchup","category":null}'>ketchup</a>, which flavors the rice and garnishes the top of the omelet. (Sometimes, chefs place the omelet atop the rice.)Omurice is an example of “yōshoku,” a Western-influenced style of cooking that became popular in Japanese cuisine during the Meiji era of the mid-nineteenth century when Japan looked to the West as a model for modernity. “Omurice” is a portmanteau of the words “omu,” meaning “omelet,” and “raisu,” meaning “rice.”

What Is Omurice?

Once you’ve mastered the basics of this versatile dish, you can craft countless variations with the fillings of your choice. Follow these tips to make the most of your Japanese omurice: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Cook the egg just until it sets. One of the key elements of omurice is a soft, supple, slightly undercooked omelet, which adds creaminess and moisture to this dish. Cook the egg until the bottom of the omelet is just set before removing it from the heat source. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with additions. You can add many ingredients to the fried rice base of this recipe, from any type of day-old brown or white rice to leftover veggies to cooked proteins like chicken breast, boneless chicken thighs, steak, ham, or sausage. Garnish the omelet 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>, thinly sliced green onions, and other tasty toppings for an added layer of flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Change up the condiments. Ketchup is the most traditional condiment choice for omurice, but feel free to garnish with alternative condiments, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/japanese-mayonnaise-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/japanese-mayonnaise-recipe","linkCopy":"Japanese mayo","category":null}'>Japanese mayo</a>, Sriracha, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tonkatsu-sauce-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/tonkatsu-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"tonkatsu sauce","category":null}'>tonkatsu sauce</a> demi-glace, and more. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Store properly. It’s best to eat omurice right after you make it, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Omurice

Simple Omurice Recipe

This popular egg-topped Japanese fried rice dish is available in diners and breakfast spots across Tokyo and beyond. Ditch the plain scrambled eggs in favor of this flavorful Asian dish, which you can make with leftover rice and pantry staples.

This popular egg-topped Japanese fried rice dish is available in diners and breakfast spots across Tokyo and beyond. Ditch the plain scrambled eggs in favor of this flavorful Asian dish, which you can make with leftover rice and pantry staples.
