This post on Thai Fried Rice has been updated in 2022.
An authentic recipe for Thai fried rice – just like you get in Thailand and at Thai restaurants!
You can make this with shrimp/prawns and chicken or any other protein that you like. If you’re feeling inspired, indulge in a Thai banquet at home with Chicken Satay Skewers, Thai Fish Cakes, and a Thai Red Curry or Green Curry!
Thai Fried Rice
I’m pretty sure every Asian country has their version of Fried Rice, and this is how the Thais make it!
This is something I always order when I go out to Thai. While the “normal” thing to do is to have Thai Red Curry or Green Curry with plain steamed jasmine rice, I just can’t resist ordering fried rice instead.
Actually, come to think of it, it’s not just restricted to Thai food… Chinese Fried Rice, Nasi Goreng Indonesian Fried Rice, Indian Biryani, Mexican Red Rice, Middle Eastern spiced pilaf…… I’m a big fan of flavoured rice dishes!
What’s the difference between Thai Fried Rice and Chinese Fried Rice?
Thai Fried Rice has been a traditional dish. NotMade with soy sauce. The purists will tell ya that soy sauce makes it Chinese Fried Rice.
This may have been the case in the old days, but the truth is that soy sauce has become a popular condiment. It is sometimes used in Thai Fried Rice – both in Thailand and in restaurants outside of Thailand. A few Thai restaurant owners also use soy sauce.
So I’ve provided a choice of There are three sauces available. Which is handy – you can choose depending on what you have or can source.
The other difference is the rice – Thai Fried Rice is made with jasmine rice whereas Chinese fried rice is made with white long grain rice.
What do you need?
Here’s what goes in Thai Fried Rice.
Why not cold-cooked rice?
It’s a must for all types of fried rice from Chinese to Indonesian. Cold, day old cooked rice dries out so the grains are separate and easy to “stir fry” to make fried rice. When stir-fried, fresh rice becomes sticky.
Jasmine Rice is the best choice for authentic Thai Fried Rice.
How to make it happen
It’s a very straightforward recipe, all cooked up in a single Wok or large skilletIn a matter of 5 minutes maximum
A unique technique used in Thai cooking is the way the egg is cooked – the other ingredients are pushed to the side, then the egg is scrambled on the other side before tossing through the remaining ingredients.
This technique is used to make Pad See Ew, a Thai Noodle favorite.
What to make with Thai Fried Rice
Thai Fried Rice can be served with just plain slices of cucumber and tomato wedges for a true authentic experience. This is exactly how Thai Fried Rice in Thailand is served!
My favourite way to serve it at home is with Chicken Satay and Thai Fish Cakes. These dishes are usually served as appetizers in Thai restaurants. However, when I add Thai Fried Rice to them, it becomes a meal.
If you prefer, you can serve it in a multi-dish dinner with some of your favorite Thai dishes like:
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Grilled Marinated Thai Chicken (Gai Yang) or Southern Thai Tumeric Chicken (Grilled or Baked)
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Thai Red Curry and Green Curry
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Massaman Curry
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Thai Chilli Basil Chicken Stir Fry or Cashew Chicken
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Thai Beef Salad
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Pad Thai and Pad See Ew
Take a look at the following for more inspiration Thai recipes collection
– Nagi x
You can see how it is done.
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Thai Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil (or peanut oil, or canola)
- 2 Large garlic cloves Very finely chopped
- 1/2 Onion , diced
- 5 oz / 150 g Shrimps/small prawns (cooked or raw). Or, thinly slice chicken breast (Note 1).
- 3 green onion (shallots). , cut into 1.5 “/4 cm pieces
- 2 eggs The lightly beaten
- 3 Cups cooked jasmine rice Cold (preferably refrigerated overnight). (Note 2).
- ONE Sauce (See below for other options)
Sauce Option 1
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
Sauce Option 2
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar (any type)
Sauce Option 3
- 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp Thai Seasoning (Gold Mountain) (Note 4)
To Serve (optional).
- Tomato wedges
- Slices of cucumber
- Fresh coriander
Instructions
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Oil can be heated in a large saucepan or skillet on medium-high heat. If you are using a skillet, 1 tablespoon more oil is needed.
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Stir fry the onion and garlic for 30 seconds.
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Stir fry for one minute, then add the shrimp/prawns and the white part of the green onion.
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Turn everything over and place the egg on the opposite side. You should mash it fast – around 20 seconds
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Add the sauce and rice. Stir fry for 2 more minutes, adding the green portion of the green onion halfway through.
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Serve immediately garnished with fresh cilantro/coriander, tomato, and cucumbers. See the post for additional serving ideas.
Recipe Notes
This small size of prawn is frozen, peeled, pre-cooked. You can also leave them uncooked. If you have large prawns, you can chop them.
Chicken: Make sure you cut the chicken against the grain. You can do this by looking at the chicken. The fibres are mostly in one direction. The fibres should be cut in the opposite direction. 90° to the direction of fibers. This produces the best pieces of chicken.
2. Rice 1 cup uncooked rice = 3 cups cooked rice. Rice should be served cold. Rice is best if it’s refrigerated overnight to dry them out. In case of an emergency (and there are many), fried rice is a good option.Put rice on a baking tray and let cool in the refrigerator.
Jasmine rice is authentic for Thai Fried Rice, but can substitute with long grain or medium grain rice.
3. Sauce OptionsThere are many types of Thai Fried Rice. I’ve listed three common sauce combinations.
- Thai home cooking is more similar to Soy Sauce + oyster Sauce
- Oyster sauce and fish sauce are the versions that purists consider “real” Thai Fried Rice without soy sauce
- Thai restaurants use sauce with Thai seasoning sauce a lot.
All of them are delicious, I promise!
4. Thai Seasoning SauceThis sauce has more flavor than the soy sauce. Gold Mountain is the most widely used one in Australia. You can find it in Asian shops and it costs about $2 per large bottle.
5. Add-onsLeafy Asian greens, other vegetables or finely chopped red chili can be added to garlic and chili paste added to the Sauce.
6. NutritionAssuming 5 side dishes, the serving size is 1 x 1. Serves 2-3 as a main.
Nutrition Information:
Original publication September 2015. Updated with new photos, video, and writing!
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