I’ve been cooking fried rice for as long as I can remember. Once I actually started paying closer attention to the masters of the Hibachi grill, I learned some simple tricks to make really good Japanese-inspired fried rice right at home. I love this recipe because it’s really flavorful but also very light.
Hibachi-style fried rice or Japanese fried rice is a lot simpler than you may think. The key to the perfect fried rice is the combination of soy sauce and butter. This lends so much rich flavor that takes the rice to the next level. Paired with simple veggies like carrots, peas, and onions, you’ll be well on your way to making restaurant-quality fried rice in your own kitchen.
Tips for Making Fried Rice at Home
- Always start with COLD rice. Cook rice in the morning or the night before and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to fry it. This makes the frying process easier and also helps the rice to not clump together. You’ll get a lighter fluffier final product.
- Use soy sauce and real butter. As stated above, this is the true secret to the best fried rice. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra soy sauce at the very end if the rice tastes a little bland.
- Start with low sodium or light soy sauce. Regular or darker soy sauce has more sodium and can be a bit overpowering in terms of flavor. I personally like a lighter tasting dish.
- Invest in a wok. I wish I could say I have a Hibachi grill in my living room but I don’t. However, a wok is the next best thing. A wok can be used for a lot of Asian cuisines and can easily hold a large volume of rice. If anything, use the largest pan you have and plenty of oil to keep things well greased.
- This recipe works great with finely diced chicken, pork, or small shrimp. Just be sure to fully cook proteins ahead of time and add them in at the very end.
- Frozen peas and carrots make for quick veggies and minimal prep. We usually keep a bag of white onions, peas, and carrots in the freezer for quick weeknight meals such as this.
- Keep ingredients moving in the pan to prevent burning and sticking. Lay out all of your ingredients ahead of time in small prep bowls. It makes the process much easier and prevents distractions.
You’ll Also Love:
- Orange sesame cauliflower
- Hibachi chicken
- Kalbi beef short ribs
- Shrimp stir fry with ramen
- Beef and broccoli
- Crab rangoons
Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
A simple hibachi-inspired fried rice recipe made with white rice, butter, soy sauce, and veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (4 cups cooked) short-grain white rice (long-grain or jasmine rice is also perfectly fine)
- 1 egg, whisked/scrambled
- 1/2 cup carrots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup white onion, chopped
- 4 tablespoons (half stick) butter
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2–3 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to the instructions on the packaging. Let chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until cold. For best results, make rice the morning of or the day before preparing the dish.
- Chop all vegetables into finely chopped pieces, and place in a small bowl. Melt butter in the microwave (intervals to prevent exploding) and add soy sauce. Mix and set aside.
- Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add whisked egg and scramble. Use the tip of a spatula to break the egg into small chunks. Remove from the pan and place on a small plate. Add all veggies to the pan with another small splash of oil and cook until warmed through and tender, about 4 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and place on the same plate with the egg.
- Add another splash of oil along with the cooked rice. Fry the rice, tossing every 30 seconds, to warm through and slightly brown. Be sure to manage the heat to prevent burning. Cook for 4-5 minutes until nice and hot. Drizzle the butter/soy sauce over the rice and toss to fully coat. It’s ready when there are no more white grains of rice. Return veggies and eggs and mix until fully incorporated.
- If you think the rice needs a little more soy sauce, drizzle some extra over the top and toss to mix. Serve immediately.
Notes
Always start with cold or day old rice for best results. This makes the frying process better and also prevents clumping.
I like to use frozen peas, carrots, and onion for simple prep. Fresh is always best.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 301
- Sugar: 1.3g
- Sodium: 359mg
- Fat: 6.9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 42.4g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 6.2g
- Cholesterol: 43mg
Keywords: Japanese fried rice, hibachi rice, fried rice recipe
This was my first time making fried rice and it came
out delicious. My husband kept saying how good it was. Thank you for a tasty recipe and easy too ????
You’re very welcome Genny – glad you liked it !
I forgot to give it 5 stars!
This was amazing! So easy to make and everyone loved it. Thank you so much! Do you have a favorite brand of butter and low sodium soy sauce? Plz let me know. Thank you!
I made it 2 weeks ago and I’m making it again 🙂 Easy and delicious!!
I thought it was very bland.. disappointed after the reviews
OMG!!!awesome recipe and easy to make, taste better than some of the Japanese chains around here. Thank you so much fo sharing this. Is there a chance you have a good one for the white sauce?
Thanks again Shawn
★★★★★
Hmm what do you mean by white sauce?
White Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons melted butter
3/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Melt butter and mix all ingredients. I would put the rice vinegar down to 1.5 tablespoons 3 is just too much! It’s really good! If you add paprika you have the Yum Yum sauce or Shrimp sauce as it is known is some areas.
Skeptical at first but decided to try this recipe anyway. Man, was I pleasantly surprised with the outcome. My normally picky eaters absolutely loved it, asked for seconds, and tried to get thirds! I paired it with smoked pineapple chicken breasts and spinach. Absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Is it ok to use brown rice instead of white rice? Or will it not be as sticky to be able to eat with chopsticks?
Absolutely!
Peanut butter sauce has no peanut butter in it!? Is it peanut butter instead of butter or both? How much peanut butter?
No peanut butter. Read the post and you’ll understand 😉
Is it 2 cups of rice pre cooked or cooked?
Pre cooked!