Nasi Goreng
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Discover the vibrant taste of Indonesia with this easy Nasi Goreng recipe! Fragrant aromatics, tender chicken, egg, veggies, and a mixture of umami-packed sauces with a touch of chili come together to create this classic fried rice dish that is bursting with flavor!
What Is Nasi Goreng
Nasi goreng, which literally translates to “fried rice,” is Indonesia’s gift to fried rice lovers worldwide! It’s a quick and easy meal, prepared by stir-frying day-old steamed rice with a medley of aromatics, chicken, egg, and vegetables. However, the true magic of this fried rice is the combination of sweet soy sauce, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and ketchup used to season the dish, resulting in a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors with a gentle kick of heat!
But don’t let the list of ingredients discourage you! The beauty of this nasi goreng recipe lies in the fact that you can easily find everything you need at your local Asian market or a well-stocked grocery store. Plus once you’ve stocked your kitchen with these Asian staples, you can try some of my other amazing recipes like Pad Thai and Meatball Banh Mi Bowls!
Why You’ll Love My Nasi Goreng Recipe
- Quick and Easy! This one pan wonder is a fantastic way to use leftover rice and comes together in about 30 minutes, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
- Authentic Flavor! The mixture of sweet soy sauce, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and ketchup used to season the dish creates an authentic taste of Indonesian cuisine.
- Family Favorite! From picky eaters to adventurous palates, everyone can appreciate the deliciousness of fried rice. Plus it’s easy to customize the level of spice and swap out the proteins and veggies.
- Cooked Rice: Day-old rice works best. But long grain rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, or even brown rice will all work.
- Vegetable Oil: Needed for stir-frying. Any neutral oil will do the trick.
- Garlic and Onion: This aromatic duo adds depth. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder and onion powder, but fresh is always best.
- Red Chili Peppers: These fiery peppers bring a touch of heat. Adjust the quantity or choose milder peppers like red bell peppers for a gentler kick.
- Shrimp Paste: A secret weapon for umami lovers! But if you’re not a fan, you can substitute it with fish sauce or soy sauce.
- Sweet Soy Sauce: Also called kecap manis, it’s a type of Indonesian sweet soy sauce. If needed, you can make a DIY version by combining soy sauce with brown sugar and molasses.
- Fish Sauce: Adds an addictively good salty component to the rice. If you prefer a vegetarian option, use soy sauce or tamari.
- Ketchup: Gives the fried rice a hint of tanginess.
- Chicken: I used boneless skinless chicken breast, but you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Mixed Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, and peas add vibrant color and texture. I used frozen mixed veggies, so use what you have.
- Eggs: A classic addition to fried rice, eggs add even more protein and texture.
- Green Onions: Used to garnish the dish with a pop of color and add a layer of mild onion flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: These staples season the final dish and enhance all the flavors.
Don’t let its exotic name intimidate you! This classic Indonesian fried rice is as easy to make as it is delicious! As long as you prepare all your ingredients before you start, it will turn out perfectly!
Begin by heating the vegetable oil over high heat in a large wok or frying pan. Next, add the minced garlic and chopped onion and stir-fry for about 1 to 2 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly brown. Then add the red chillies and shrimp paste to the wok. Then stir-fry the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Now, it’s time to add the diced chicken to the wok! You need to cook it until it’s no longer pink.
Then add the rice and stir fry it with the other ingredients for 5 to 7 minutes or until it’s slightly brown and heated through.
To cook the eggs, first you need to create a space in the wok by pushing the rice mixture to one side. Next, pour the beaten eggs into the empty space and scramble them until they are fully cooked. Then mix the cooked eggs into the rice mixture.
Now, taste the dish, and season it with salt and black pepper. Then garnish it with fresh chopped green onions and it’s ready! People often serve nasi goreng with fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and a side of sambal oelek chili paste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I add to the dish?
It’s easy to customize. Common additions include different vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms, as well as various proteins such as prawns or tofu. You can personalize the dish to your liking!
Do I have to use day-old rice?
While using day-old rice is traditional and produces the best texture, you can still make delicious nasi goreng with freshly cooked rice. Just make sure that it’s cooled and slightly firm before stir-frying.
What is the difference between fried rice and nasi goreng?
Nasi goreng is just Indonesia’s take on fried rice. There are many different varieties of fried rice recipes.
Expert Tips
- The rice must be cool. Use day-old rice if possible. It has a firmer texture, making it ideal for stir-frying. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a tray and let it cool and dry for a bit.
- Prepping ahead is key. Before you start cooking, have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go. The cooking process goes quickly.
- Keep the ingredients moving. Proper stir-frying requires that the ingredients are constantly moving around the pan to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.
- Cook the chicken first. The chicken should be fully cooked before adding the rice to the wok. This guarantees that the chicken is tender and safe to eat.
Storage
If you find yourself with leftovers, you can easily store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, simply microwave the nasi goreng or warm it up in a skillet on the stovetop. If frozen, just allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
Discover More Asian Recipes
Beef Rendang
Indonesian Meatballs
Beijing Beef
Chinese Lemon Chicken
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Nasi Goreng
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 red chili peppers (seeded and minced)
- 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
- 1 chicken breast (boneless and skinless, diced)
- 4 cups cooked rice (preferably day old)
- 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, green beans, peas)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 green onions (chopped)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large wok or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over high heat. Add the garlic and onion and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Add the red chili peppers and shrimp paste and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the diced chicken to the pan and cook until it's no longer pink. Add the cooked rice and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until heated through and lightly browned.
- Add the sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, and ketchup and stir-fry for another minute. Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the wok or pan and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through, then mix them into the rice mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Day-Old Rice: For best results, use rice that has been cooked and cooled, preferably left in the fridge overnight. This helps to prevent the rice from becoming mushy during stir-frying.
- Shrimp Paste Substitution: If shrimp paste is unavailable, you can use an equal amount of fish sauce or soy sauce for a different but still delicious flavor profile.
- Adjusting Spice Level: The red chili peppers add a kick to the dish. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your spice tolerance or omit them entirely if you prefer a milder dish.
- Egg Cooking Tip: Make sure to push the rice to one side of the pan when cooking the eggs. This ensures they scramble well before incorporating them into the rest of the dish.
- Serving Suggestion: Nasi Goreng is often enjoyed with additional sides like fried eggs, prawns, or even some satay skewers. Feel free to customize to your liking!
- Vegetable Choices: The recipe calls for a mix of vegetables like carrots, green beans, and peas, but you can easily substitute with what you have on hand or prefer.
- Kecap Manis: This is a sweet Indonesian soy sauce. If unavailable, mix regular soy sauce with a bit of brown sugar as a substitute.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I substitute ketchup with ketjap, and get the griddle cooking hot. It really goes very quick
That sounds like a fantastic modification! Using ketjap would bring an authentic Indonesian touch to the Nasi Goreng. And you’re absolutely right, a hot griddle can make all the difference in getting that perfect texture. Thanks for sharing your tweaks!
This is such a fantastic recipe! It tastes like Autumn. The entire family loved it. 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the Nasi Goreng! It’s wonderful to know that the flavors resonated with you and felt like Autumn. Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience; it means a lot.