Learn how to make one of the most classic Chinese egg fried rice (Yang Chow Fried Rice or Young Chow Fried Rice) in the right way with all tips you should know for a perfect homemade stir-fried rice.

What's Yangzhou Fried rice

Originating from Jiangsu province of China. But the dish might be spelled in different forms, Yangzhou fried rice, Yang Chow Fried Rice or Young Chow Fried Rice are all referring to this one. Yangzhou fried rice is enjoying super high popularity across the country. One of the reason why it is so famous is because of the picky requirements of the raw ingredients. It is made with rice that is stir-fried with vegetables and meat, and typically includes ingredients such as ham, shrimp, peas, carrots, and eggs. While Yangzhou fried rice is typically considered a Chinese dish, it has also been popularized in other parts of the world. In America, for instance, Yangzhou fried rice is often served as a side dish or an appetizer.

The real Chinese version in restaurants includes fried egg shreds on top. This type is selling at a super high price, over 80 RMB for one serving. Homestyle Yangzhou fried rice can be much easier. Fried rice (炒饭) and chow mein (炒面) possibly are the two most popular types of dishes based on staple foods of China—rice and noodles. Home-style fried rice can be as humble as basic egg fried rice, which only needs eggs, green onion, salt, and pepper, or as luxurious as this Yangzhou fried rice! The long list of ingredients not only brings different tastes and textures but more importantly different colors. Colorful fried rice is the most popular choice for children's meals in lots of restaurants.

Type of rice to use

If you are using leftover rice, just go ahead and make it no matter what's the rice used already.  In theory, any type of rice can be used in fried rice. If you plan to make some steamed rice right perfectly for fried rice recipes, the common popular option should be basmati or jasmine rice. Rice contains more starch may lead to a sticky texture of the rice. So long-grain Indica rice will be a better option.

The secret of restaurant-style Yangzhou fried rice is to make sure the rice is not mushy and wet. Leftover rice always meets the standard because of water evaporation. But if you want to make egg fried rice right now and there is no leftover rice by hand. Chilling the freshly cooked rice is another way.

About the stir-frying tool

Although a wok is believed to be the best tool for stir-fried rice, it needs several tips for beginners. If you have no confidence about using the wok, you can also use a non-stick pan to make this fried rice

For wok beginners, it will a little bit hard to handle because the starch of the rice may lead to a sticky texture. If the rice starts to stick to the wok, the process can be extremely messy. So you can start with a non-stick pan or follow the tips to avoid sticky problems.

1. heat the wok until really hot, pre-heating the wok is the key tip to avoid sticking problems. Heat it until there is smoke coming out.
2. swirl the oil in the wok to cover the surface as much as possible.
3. keep a high fire during the frying process
4. keep moving the grains during the whole stir-frying process to make sure each grain is evenly heated.

The best tool for perfect fried rice is a wok, in which you can quickly move all the grains. Along with the movement, the grains are well separated while all the other ingredients and seasonings are well mixed.

Ingredients

• 6 cups leftover white rice (note 1)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ cup diced Chinese ham (or you can use char siu )
• 8-10 shelled shrimp, deveined
• ½ cup green peas
• ½ cup diced carrot
• Pinch of salt to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 2 green onions, finely chopped

Instructions

Slightly separate the grains of rice via slightly pressing the rice by a rice scoop. This step is optional but highly recommended for beginners. If I plan to make stir fried rice next day, usually I cook the rice on stove with a claypot or cast iron pot other than a regular rice cooker. You can know more about how to make rice without a rice cooker.

Heat up around 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in wok and fry green beans and diced carrots until softened.

Heat up 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok or a nonstick skillet (Note 2) and fry shrimp until slightly seared. Transfer out.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and pour in beaten egg and the fried rice. Give a quick stir so the egg and rice can be mixed well quickly.

Add green beans, carrots, ham and shrimp, light soy sauce, sprinkle pinch of salt and white pepper. Give everything a big stir-fry and mix well. Then add green onion and fry for another 30 seconds.

Serve warm.

Chinese Fried Rice (Yangzhou Fried Rice)

Elaine

Classic Chinese fried rice -- Yangzhou version

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course staple food

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4

Calories 473 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 cups leftover white rice , note 1
• ▢ 2 large eggs , beaten
• ▢ 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• ▢ ¼ cup diced Chinese ham , or you can use char siu
• ▢ 8-10 shelled shrimp , deveined
• ▢ ½ cup green peas
• ▢ ½ cup diced carrot
• ▢ Pinch of salt to taste
• ▢ ¼ tsp. ground white pepper
• ▢ 1 tbsp. light soy sauce
• ▢ 2 green onions , finely chopped

Instructions

• Slightly separate the grains of rice via slightly pressing the rice by a rice scoop. This step is optional but highly recommended for beginners.
• Heat up around 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in wok and fry green beans and diced carrots until softened.
• Heat up 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok or a nonstick skillet (Note 2) and fry shrimp until slightly seared. Transfer out.
• Play rice in wok and dig a small hole in center, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and pour in beaten egg . Give a quick stir so the egg and rice can be mixed well quickly.
• Add green beans, carrots, ham and shrimp, light soy sauce, sprinkle pinch of salt and white pepper. Give everything a big stir-fry and mix well. Then add green onion and fry for another 30 seconds.

Notes

Note 1: if you plan to make fried rice next day, you can slightly reduce the water when steaming the rice. So the grains are harder and better for fried rice. Soft rice is not a good option.
Note 2: You can use both wok and skillet for this recipe. If you do not have a old wok, a nonstick skillet is a better tool for a new wok.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 16gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 464mgPotassium: 254mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3000IUVitamin C: 9.2mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1.7mg

Keyword Fried Rice

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