Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice)
Light, fluffy fried rice with egg, scallion, and soy.
Ingredients
- 400 g Japanese short-grain rice
- 2 Egg
- 3 Scallions
- 2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu)
- 2 tbsp Neutral oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Carrot (optional)
- 1 tsp Toasted sesame oil (optional)
Method
- Dice the carrot, beat the eggs, and thinly slice the scallions.
- Heat the neutral oil in a wok over high heat. Scramble the eggs until just set, add the carrot and stir-fry briefly, then tip in the rice and toss until the grains are hot and separate, about 5 minutes.
- Season with the soy, sesame oil, and salt and fold in the scallions.
- Serve in bowls.
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About Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice)
Chahan is Japanese fried rice — the home-kitchen staple for using up leftover rice, distinguished by its light, fluffy character and clean, restrained seasoning. Where some fried rices are heavy and sauce-slicked, chahan aims for separate, glossy grains and a gentle savoriness, seasoned mainly with soy, a touch of sesame oil, and salt. The key is high heat and short-grain rice tossed until every grain is hot and distinct, with scrambled egg and diced carrot woven through and scallion folded in at the end for freshness.
It tastes mild, toasty, and comforting, the egg giving it richness and the soy a savory backbone without overwhelming the rice itself. This is fast food in the best sense — around fifteen minutes from start to bowl, and a genuinely useful way to turn day-old rice into a proper meal. It works as a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a side to something like gyoza or a bowl of soup. Cooking it hot and fast in a wok is what keeps it fluffy rather than mushy, which is the whole difference between good chahan and a soggy imitation.
Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice): frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice)?
A serving has about 340 calories — 9.5g protein, 43.1g carbs, 14.5g fat, 2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice) gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu). You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice)?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out carrot, toasted sesame oil — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice) make?
This recipe makes 3 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.