Get ready to enjoy my Japanese Pork Fried Rice, also known as Chahan! This classic Japanese fried rice combines tender pork, fluffy eggs, and colorful vegetables, all perfectly seasoned for a delightful meal! I crafted this recipe to be quick, easy, and bursting with flavor, making it a fantastic addition to any Japanese meal – let’s dive in and cook up some deliciousness!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s my special take on Japanese Pork Fried Rice, or the original Japanese Chahan, crafted for home cooks who want a delicious, authentic meal like the ones you get at your favorite restaurants while saving time and money! This dish features rice cooked with eggs, tender pork, and veggies, all seasoned with a simple mix of salt, black pepper, and soy sauce, flavors that pairs perfectly with my Japanese Pork Stir Fry or Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry!
What makes it special is that it’s designed to be crafted in home kitchens and made by home cooks, just like my Japanese Beef Fried Rice and Garlic Chicken Fried Rice recipes! Don’t worry about fried rice being tricky to cook at home – my simple chahan recipe will help you master it in no time, resulting in a delightful dish that’s hot, tender, and full of flavor, ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy authentic Japanese pork fried rice at home!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Sliced Pork – thinly sliced pork shoulder used for shabu shabu. Can also use shaved pork.
- Rice – rice of choice, if using white rice, best to use leftover rice or day old cooked rice for best texture.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Onion – diced yellow or brown onion. Helps add flavor to the fried rice.
- Carrots – peeled and diced. Optional.
- Green Peas – shelled peas, fresh or frozen. Optional.
- Corn Kernel – fresh or canned corn kernel. Optional.
- Green Onion – finely chopped green onion scallions.
- Egg – beaten.
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free. Used of the base flavor in fried rice.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
🥓 Pork Note
For the best results, opt for Thinly Sliced Pork Shoulder , which you can typically find labeled for use in shabu shabu at Asian grocery stores. If you’re slicing it yourself, aim for approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Slicing the beef is easiest when it’s in a semi-frozen state. You can also use Shaved Pork from a local supermarket as well
🍚 Rice Note
To achieve the desired texture in your fried rice, it’s best to use Leftover Cold Rice or Day-Old Cooked Cold Rice. This practice effectively reduces excess moisture, preventing the fried rice from becoming soggy. Freshly made steamed rice, on the other hand, tends to retain more moisture and may lead to a less desirable texture in your fried rice.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
To make delicious fried rice, Prep Your Ingredients in advance for efficiency and use a roomy Wok or Deep Skillet. Opt for High-Temperature Cooking Oil to achieve that signature sizzle and pop.
Step 1 Start by cooking beaten eggs in a lightly oiled frying pan until partially set, about 15-30 seconds, then transfer them to a plate.
Step 2 Clean the same frying pan, then preheat it with cooking oil over medium heat. Once the oil is preheated, add chopped pork and cook until browned, about 1 minute. Set aside.
Step 3 In a wok or large deep skillet, heat oil over high heat. Once the oil is preheated, add chopped onions, diced carrots and dried out rice. Use a spatula to break apart the rice, then season with salt and black pepper. Cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the rice is tender.
🍳 Cooking Pro Tip
Avoid Overcrowding the pan to ensure there’s enough space for all the rice to cook evenly under high heat and within the correct temperature range. If making a large serving, it’s better to Cook in Batches instead.
💡 Flavoring Pro Tip
For that authentic restaurant-style flavor in your fried rice, try adding a light sprinkle of MSG.
Step 4 Combine the partially cooked eggs, corn kernel, green peas and browned pork into the wok or skillet, drizzle in soy sauce, and continue cooking until the eggs are no longer runny, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 Transfer the fried rice to a serving bowl and top with chopped green onions.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
To elevate both the texture and presentation of your dish, consider garnishing with Toasted Sesame Seeds. This simple addition adds a delightful crunch and enhances the visual appeal of the dish.
Recipe Variations
For a flavorful twist, use the same at home fried rice cooking technique from this recipe and add my signature garlic butter sauce to create a hibachi-inspired Garlic Butter Vegetable Fried Rice. This adds a rich, buttery flavor that enhances the vegetables’ sweetness. For a Hawaiian twist, swap the pork for spam to make my Spam Fried Rice, adding a unique savory taste that perfectly complements the seasoned rice!
Pairing Recommendations
This Japanese classic pairs perfectly with my Japanese Spinach Salad for a fresh touch or my Garlic Spinach Stir Fry for a garlic kick. Complete your meal with a warm bowl of my Japanese Chicken Soup for a comforting finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the pork with another protein?
Yes, you can use chicken, beef, or even tofu as a substitute for pork.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?
Ensure the rice is dry, cold, and leftover, and the pan is well-heated with enough oil before adding the rice.
Is there a specific soy sauce I should use?
I prefer low sodium soy sauce for a balanced flavor. You can also use regular soy sauce, but ensure it’s Japanese-style soy sauce for the best results.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will remain good for 7-10 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Japanese Ketchup Fried Rice
- Kimchi Chicken Fried Rice
- Lime Chicken Fried Rice
- Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice
Watch How To Make It
Japanese Pork Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Pork thinly sliced
- 1 Egg
- 1 tbsp Neutral Oil oil with no taste
- 4 Cups Rice or rice of choice
- 2 tbsp Onion chopped
- 1 tbsp Carrots diced, optional
- 1 tbsp Green Peas optional
- 1 tbsp Corn Kernel optional
- 1/2 Stalk Green Onion
- 1 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Chop sliced pork, chop green onions, dice onions and carrots.
- Heat 1/2 tsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is preheated, pour in the beaten eggs. Scramble them and cook partially for about 15-30 seconds, leaving them slightly runny. Then set them aside.
- Clean the frying pan and add 1/2 tsp of cooking oil, heating it over medium heat. Once the oil is preheated, add the chopped pork and cook for 1 minute until browned. Then set them aside.
- In a large deep skillet or wok, heat 2 tsp cooking oil over high heat. Once the oil is preheated, add chopped onions, carrots and dried out rice. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, break apart the rice with a spatula and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Combine the cooked pork, green peas, corn kernel and partially cooked eggs back into the skillet. Add soy sauce and cook until the eggs are fully cooked and combined, for about 1-2 minutes. Serve the mixture onto a plate, then top with green onions before serving.
