Hello Asian food lovers! We all know fried rice is a global favourite for a reason. It’s quick, easy and delicious. Whether you're cooking for yourself, family or friends, fried rice is a versatile dish that can be customised with your favourite ingredients.
Want to make it spicier, sweeter, softer, packed with vegetables or full of protein? There are countless ways to make fried rice your own.
This week, we’re featuring three popular fried rice recipes: Classic Chinese Egg Fried Rice, Thai Pineapple Fried Rice and spicy Korean Kimchi Fried Rice. These dishes are packed with flavour and simple to prepare using ingredients you can find at Asia Market online or in our stores at Ballymount and Drury Street in Dublin.
Let’s get cooking!
1. Classic Chinese Egg Fried Rice
Chinese Egg Fried Rice is a simple, tasty and satisfying dish. It works perfectly as a quick meal or as a side dish alongside your favourite Chinese dishes.
The secret to great fried rice is using day-old rice, which fries better and is less sticky than freshly cooked rice.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
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300g long grain rice
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp sesame oil
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50g green onions, chopped
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2 eggs
Instructions:
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Cook the Rice: Cook the rice ahead of time and allow it to cool. Cold, day-old rice works best as it is less sticky.
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Scramble the Eggs: Heat a pan and scramble the eggs until fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
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Stir-Fry the Rice: Add the rice to the same pan along with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until heated through.
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Combine: Add the scrambled eggs and chopped green onions. Stir until everything is well combined and serve hot.
2. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice gives the classic dish a tropical twist. Sweet pineapple is combined with savoury shrimp or chicken and crunchy cashew nuts to create a balanced and flavourful meal.
Servings: 3
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
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400g Jasmine rice
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2 tbsp fish sauce
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200g fresh pineapple, cubed
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150g shrimp or chicken
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50g cashew nuts, roasted
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2 tbsp vegetable oil
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50g green onions, optional for garnish
Instructions:
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Cook the Rice: Prepare the Jasmine rice ahead of time and set aside to cool.
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Cook the Protein: Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and stir-fry the shrimp or chicken until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
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Stir-Fry the Rice: Add the cooked rice, pineapple and fish sauce to the same pan. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes.
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Combine: Add the cooked shrimp or chicken, roasted cashew nuts and green onions. Stir well and serve warm.
3. Korean Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi Fried Rice, also known as Kimchi Bokkeumbap, is a spicy and savoury Korean dish packed with the bold flavours of fermented kimchi. It’s a comforting meal that's perfect for anyone who enjoys a little heat.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
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300g short grain rice
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200g kimchi
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1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
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1 tbsp sesame oil
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2 eggs
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50g green onions, optional for garnish
Instructions:
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Cook the Rice: Prepare the short grain rice and allow it to cool slightly.
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Fry the Kimchi: Heat a pan and fry the kimchi for about 3 minutes until fragrant.
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Stir-Fry the Rice: Add the cooked rice and gochujang. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
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Top with Eggs: Fry the eggs separately. Serve each portion of fried rice with a fried egg on top and drizzle with sesame oil.
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Garnish: Finish with chopped green onions if desired.
Tips for Perfect Fried Rice Every Time
Making great fried rice is all about technique. Keep these tips in mind for the best results:
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Use Cold Rice: Freshly cooked rice can be too sticky. Chilled rice that has been refrigerated for a few hours or overnight works much better.
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Use High Heat: Cook your ingredients over medium-high to high heat to develop a delicious toasted flavour.
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Don't Overcrowd the Pan: If you're cooking a large quantity, work in batches. This gives the rice enough space to fry evenly.
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Add Protein and Vegetables: Fried rice is a great way to use leftovers. Add cooked meat, seafood, tofu or vegetables for extra flavour and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best rice to use for fried rice?
A: Medium to long grain rice generally works well for fried rice. Short grain rice is also suitable, particularly for Korean-style fried rice, where a slightly stickier texture is preferred.
Q: Can I make fried rice vegetarian?
A: Absolutely. Skip the meat and add tofu, mushrooms or extra vegetables such as peppers, peas or carrots. For a vegetarian version, use soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
Q: How do I store leftover fried rice?
A: Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly in a pan over medium heat, adding a small splash of water if needed.
Wrapping Up
There you have it: three delicious fried rice recipes from across Asia.
Try classic Chinese Egg Fried Rice for a simple and savoury meal, Thai Pineapple Fried Rice for a sweet and tropical twist, or Korean Kimchi Fried Rice for something spicy and full of flavour.
Whether you're preparing a quick weeknight dinner or cooking for friends and family, fried rice is an easy dish that can be adapted to suit your taste.
Find the ingredients you need at Asia Market and try these recipes at home.
Share your fried rice creations with us on social media using #AsiaMarketRecipes. We’d love to see what you cook up!
