Egg Fried Rice Recipe

Egg fried rice is a delicious and simple dish to make. The ingredients are straightforward, requiring only eggs, rice, and some vegetables you like. Egg fried rice is popular not only in China but also in other countries and regions around the world.

Egg fried rice is simple to make, but achieving a light, fluffy, and delicious dish requires knowing some traditional tips and tricks. Today, I'll share the authentic method for making egg fried rice. Let's start by learning more about this dish!

1. About Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is a traditional Chinese dish that features eggs and rice as its main ingredients. It is a staple on the menu of typical Chinese restaurants around the world.

According to records, the earliest mention of egg fried rice can be traced back to a bamboo slip unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tombs in Changsha, Hunan in 1972. This slip contained information about a dish called "luan hao," which experts believe was a food made from sticky rice and eggs, likely the precursor to egg fried rice. As society has evolved, so have the methods for making egg fried rice, with people adding various ingredients they enjoy. However, the core method remains largely unchanged.

2. Is It Better to Use Day-Old Rice or Fresh Rice?

This is a debated topic. Some people prefer using day-old rice because it loses most of its moisture overnight, making it drier. This drier rice is less likely to clump together during stir-frying, resulting in a dish with distinct, separate grains and better texture.

I believe both opinions are valid. Whether using day-old or fresh rice, as long as the rice is firm enough, you can achieve light, fluffy, and well-separated egg fried rice.

3. The Best Way to Prepare Rice

If you have leftover rice, you can use it directly for frying. However, if you don't have leftover rice, you can use freshly cooked rice by following these tips:

Use slightly less water when cooking the rice to make it firmer.

After cooking, spread the rice thinly on a large plate or tray and let it cool completely before using it for frying.

4. Ingredients and Substitutes

Rice: I use jasmine rice, but you can also use regular medium-grain rice or long-grain rice.

Eggs: Organic eggs have higher nutritional value, but you can substitute them with regular eggs without affecting the taste.

Vegetables: You can use cucumbers, carrots, green onions, or any vegetables you prefer.

Seasonings: Cooking oil, salt, cooking wine, chicken powder, and soy sauce.

5. Egg Fried Rice Cooking Tips

Don’t skimp on oil: This is the best way to keep the rice crispy and prevent the dish from being too dry.

Add plenty of scallions: Scallions are key to enhancing the aroma of the rice.

Avoid frequent stirring: Many people like to stir-fry the rice often, but reducing the frequency of stirring allows the rice to crisp up perfectly in a hot pan.

Add a bit of MSG: Adding a small amount of chicken powder can enhance the natural flavors of the rice and eggs.

Use a cast-iron pan if possible: A cast-iron pan can add extra flavor to the fried rice. If you don’t have one, a regular non-stick pan will work too.

6. What to Serve with Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice can be paired with any dish, depending on your preference. It goes well with Char Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns), Chongqing Spicy Chicken, or Kimchi Recipe, you can enjoy it with just about anything!

Now, let’s try making delicious egg fried rice together!