At least once a week I like to treat myself to a unique, yet delicious food from different restaurants. And it definitely doesn’t get more delicious than the Japanese-styled dishes. I mean, have you seen the Teppanyaki chefs’ amazing knife skills?
The whole experience is amazing to be honest, most importantly the food. That’s why I am writing this delicious benihana fried rice recipe. Where you will enjoy the homemade version of their one-of-a-kind fried rice, filled with delicious veggies and scrambled eggs.
Pro tips:
- Butter garlic helps in frying the rice and provides an extra rich and garlicky flavor to your rice.
- Benihana is famous for using safflower oil. However, you can still use any type of oil you have.
- The cold rice can readily fry once it’s put on the rest of the ingredients.
- Classic fried rice is better when it’s slightly browned on the bottom, especially when it’s cooked on high heat flame.
Frequently asked questions:
Japanese fried rice vs. Chinese fried rice?
The secret that distinguishes both types of fried rice relies on the type of rice used. The rice used in the Japanese fried rice is the short-grained, soft, and chewy rice. While that of the Chinese is usually the basmati or long-grained one, which is almost more dry and less chewy than that of the sushi kind.
What are the ingredients of the Benihana sauce used with this dish?
This delicious sauce is made of mashed peeled ginger, chopped onions, vinegar, lemon juice, some lemon zest, and soy sauce mixed together. It’s almost perfect for any Benihana dish.
What’s special about Japanese rice?
The whole secret lies in the amount of water used to grow the rice seeds themselves. Japan really focuses on the quality of their rice, unlike most of the countries, and it really shows in the different delicious varieties of rice the Japanese grow, Koshihikari variety for example, which is hard to grow, yet is totally worth it.
Does rice need to be precooked when making fried rice?
You will have the best results when using an already cooked fried rice that was left overnight in the fridge. As rice tend to firm up and hold its shaped when left for a day before frying.
How to make benihana garlic butter?
Mix together 5 minced garlic bulbs, 2 oz of soy sauce, 2 sticks of softened butter, and a splash of lemon juice.
Benihana fried rice vs. hibachi?
The only difference between both methods of making fried rice is the way of cooking. Benihana restaurants make their rice on a teppanyaki grill right before your eyes. While Hibachi cook the rice in a small charcoal stove.
How to Make Benihana Garlic Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
For the fried rice:
- 2 tablespoons of oil (Preferably safflower oil)
- 2 tablespoons of garlic butter
- 4 cups of cooked and chilled rice
- 2 eggs (whisked)
- 1 peeled and chopped carrot
- 1 small finely chopped onion
- 3 finely chopped green onion
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce
For the garnish:
- 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame sauce
- 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions
Instructions
- In a skillet placed on medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of oil, crack the eggs and scramble them. Set the eggs aside in a plate.
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and add the carrots and onions. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the vegetables and mix. Cook the veggies until they soften. It should take 5 minutes or so.
- When the veggies are soft enough, add soy sauce, green onions, and oyster sauce. Stir to mix all the content of the skillet.
- Add in the cooked rice and garlic butter. Fry the rice for 3 minutes.
- Into the skillet, add the cooked eggs and stir for few minutes.
- Dish up the contents of the skillet and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and an extra drizzle of soy sauce. Enjoy!
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Hi, I’m Julie, the passionate foodie and founder of Juliesfamilykitchen.com. I created this blog out of a drive to prove someone wrong, and then I realized how much I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. In my free time, when I’m not running around after my kids or spending quality time with my partner, you can usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes.