The Best Hibachi Fried Rice Recipe

This Benihana-Style Hibachi Fried Rice recipe makes it possible to dine at home while enjoying one of your favorite restaurant meals! Typical of a Japanese steakhouse, this quick dinner idea needs very few simple ingredients, like shredded chicken, leftover rice, and eggs, and can be prepared in just a couple of minutes!

Hibachi fried rice recipe sounds like something only a Japanese steakhouse should be able to offer, but the truth is that with a few simple ingredients and steps, you can prepare this perfect copycat recipe in the comfort of your home.

A Benihana chef knows that there are two very important things in any fried rice recipe: cold rice and a hot large frying pan.

So, get your white rice cooked one day in advance, warm up your pan and get this chicken fried rice going!

Jump to:

• Benihana Fried Rice Overview [Infographics]
• Hibachi Fried Rice Ingredients
• How to make Hibachi Fried Rice at home?
• People also ask [FAQs]
• Tips and tricks
• Recipe

Benihana Fried Rice Overview [Infographics]

Hibachi Fried Rice Ingredients

• Rice: In order to achieve the hibachi fried rice effect, it is very important that the rice used is cold. You can either use leftover rice or prepare it in advance and allow it to cool down. To cool it down quicker, spread the rice out on a piece of parchment paper.
• Eggs and Chicken: These are the two other main ingredients in the recipe, which give it a nice body and a protein kick.
• Cabbage, Green Onion, and Carrot: They offer crunch and color while being a good source of vitamins and fiber.
• Oil: The basic ingredient for frying.
• Ginger and Garlic: These two ingredients offer flavor with a kick.
• Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice, Black Pepper, and Salt: Seasonings and sauces typical of this cusine.
• Ajinomoto: This ingredient is optional as it is typical Chinese (and Indo-Chinese); just a sprinkle of it enhances the flavors of this Benihana-inspired Hibachi Fried Rice.

How to make Hibachi Fried Rice at home?

1. Heat the oil in the wok and, once warm, add the ginger and garlic and allow them to lightly fry for about 30 seconds. Once the smell of rawness of the garlic has gone, add the egg and allow it to cook for 15 seconds, before starting to scramble it.
2. Allow also the egg to be thoroughly cooked before adding the cabbage, chicken, and carrot; once these are added, sauté everything well, then add the cold cooked rice and mix well once more.

3. Cook the rice until this is piping hot, which should take 2-3 minutes on the large hot wok, then add the seasoning of black pepper, lemon juice, soy sauce, and salt.

People also ask [FAQs]

How to cook chicken for fried rice? 

Chicken for hibachi fried rice can be cooked in many ways, depending on preference, time, or calorie count. As I tend to meal prep the day before when I decide to cook fried rice, I usually boil and shred my chicken, as this also keeps the calorie count low.

Should one prefer, small pieces of chicken can also be panfried with some oil, or – for those not counting calories or enjoying a treat meal – deep fried with a light batter of cornflour, black pepper, salt, and egg.

What to serve with chicken fried rice? 

Many dishes can be served to accompany the many fried rice recipes available, however stir-fried vegetables, light Asian style salads, and high protein-based side dishes, such as chicken teriyaki are perhaps lighter choices compared to sweet and sour pork dishes, dumplings, or carbohydrates heavy sides.

Tips and tricks

Hibachi fried rice is Japanese fried rice and, although I am not Japanese, I like this dish so much that I tried to prepare it in many ways to be able to incorporate it into my diet. Although making swaps may not offer the true Benihana experience everyone talks about, there are a few that taste delicious and may help you with your weight loss plan in the long term.

• Rice: Japanese fried rice uses short-grain rice that is fluffy and a little bit sticky. Should you prefer or have at home long-grain rice such as Jasmine rice, there is no need to purchase Botan Calrose rice, but use what you have.
• Rice alternative: should you be avoiding white, brown rice or cauliflower rice are two great alternatives for this recipe.
• Sesame seeds: should you have some, sprinkle a few of them on top of your rice before serving; this is a trick my local Japanese restaurant uses, and as good home cooks we should use them at home!
• Room temperature: fried rice is best prepared when the ingredients are at room temperature; although the rice should spend the night in the fridge, try to get it out at least half an hour before cooking, and try to do the same with the other ingredients. A hot pan with oil will allow the dry ingredients and room temperature to fry (with some parts turning golden brown), rather than simmer and absorb the oil.
• Chinese fried rice: the main difference between Japanese fried rice and Chinese fried rice is not only the use of butter but also the use of Ajinomoto in Chinese cooking. Should you want a different take on this hibachi rice recipe, sprinkle some Ajinomoto on it at the same time as the other seasoning, but ensure you reduce your other salt (start with a pinch of salt then adjust as needed).
• Soy sauce: although this recipe calls for very little soy sauce, should you have the option to go for low sodium soy sauce, as this will reduce the risk of water retention.
• Other sauces: again, not a Japanese sauce, but nevertheless a great hibachi fried rice accompaniment, Schezwan Sauce is a great way to add that little heat to your meal.
• Oil: In hibachi restaurants they use safflower oil in their recipe, however, if you do not have it you can use some sesame oil, peanut oil, or simple vegetable oil.

Have a go at this Hibachi fried rice recipe, that is lighter and easy to add to your everyday lifestyle. To get going, all you will need is a good wok, a cup of rice and you will be a Teppanyaki chef in no time.

This recipe is great if you are meal prepping, packing lunch for work, or even just trying to use up some ingredients the next day.

This is a great recipe and we should not need to wait for the weekend or a special treat to enjoy some Benihana chicken fried rice!

• If you liked this one, have a look at these other fantastic dishes:

• Homestyle Easy Lentil Dal (dhal, dahl) with VIDEO | Ghar Ki Dal
• Indian Chicken Curry Recipe with Potatoes and Coconut with VIDEO
• Butter Chicken Recipe
• Chicken Biryani Recipe

Recipe