Restaurant Secret Fried Rice

Name: Restaurant Secret Fried Rice
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, day-old and cold (this is the secret!); 2 eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 green onions, sliced (whites and greens separated); 3 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado); White pepper to taste; Salt to taste; 1 tsp MSG (optional but highly recommended for that restaurant flavour)

The wok secrets restaurants don't want you to know — crispy, smoky, perfectly seasoned fried rice at home.

15 min Easy Serves 4

Watch the video

The secrets to restaurant fried rice are simple: high heat, cold rice, and the right order of ingredients. Most home cooks use fresh rice and low heat — that's why it turns out mushy. Follow these steps and you'll have wok-kissed, smoky, crispy fried rice every single time.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked jasmine rice, day-old and cold (this is the secret!)
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced (whites and greens separated)
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or avocado)
White pepper to taste
Salt to taste
1 tsp MSG (optional but highly recommended for that restaurant flavour)

Gear I used

Tested in my own kitchen. Links may be affiliate links.

14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok 5.0

Method

1
Start with cold, day-old rice. If using fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2
Heat your wok over high heat.
3
Add 1 tbsp oil and swirl to coat. Add beaten eggs and cook halfway through.
4
Add the cold rice all at once. Press it against the hot wok and toss.
5
Drizzle soy sauce around the edges of the wok so it caramelizes.
6
Mix well, then season with white pepper, salt, and MSG (optional).
7
Remove from heat, drizzle sesame oil over the top, garnish with green onion greens, and serve immediately.