Make this quick Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng) when you have leftover rice! Add shrimp, chicken or make it a vegetarian meal and toss in some fresh vegetables.
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) was our favourite dish when we traveled in Bali in Indonesia. If you’ve been to Bali, you probably ate it there, too! It is available anywhere, anytime, for breakfast, lunch or dinner in high-end restaurants or off the street.
Later in our trip, we became more adventurous in trying different dishes, but at the beginning, my sensitive stomach told me to play it safe. I chose it from menus because it was one of the few things that was familiar to me. I knew it had been cooked over a high heat that would kill anything my sensitive Canadian digestive system wasn’t used to.
Nasi Goreng is simply fried rice. It’s considered the national dish of Indonesia. In a country where nothing is wasted, leftover rice from the previous day’s dinner is often turned into this flavourful dish the following day. It’s mixed with seasonings, freshly caught prawns or shrimp and chicken, and it is garnished with cooked egg, green onions, and cilantro.
Rice cooked the previous day has a better texture for fried rice, as freshly cooked rice is too moist and soft. In a climate of intense heat and high humidity, labouring in a hot kitchen would be unbearable. This dish is cooked very quickly over high heat. It is often served with prawn crackers.
There are lots of different variations of this dish, depending on the region and available ingredients. This one is mine.
Our accommodation near Ubud was stunningly beautiful and ridiculously inexpensive!
Rice growing on terraced hillsides in central Bali.
Fresh treasures from the sea.
I used Thai Jasmine rice in this recipe. If you’re not familiar with the seasonings in this dish, here’s a quick guide to Indonesian seasonings.
- Sambal Oelek is a hot chili paste
- Ketjap Manis is a thick, dark syrupy Indonesian soy sauce, and
- Fish sauce is a fermented product made with fish (often anchovies) and salt.
- All are usually available in the International food section of your supermarket.
This Nasi Goreng is even better the second day! The rice absorbs all those wonderful Indonesian seasonings. Just store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat the following day.
Make this quick Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng) when you have leftover rice! Add shrimp, chicken or make it a vegetarian meal and toss in some fresh vegetables.
- 2 cups Thai Jasmine Rice
- 4 cups water (or 2 cups water and 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1or 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1/2 inch strips
- 24 large prawns or shrimp, peeled (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tsp fresh ginger root, finely grated
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2-3 tsp Sambal Oelek (hot chili paste)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce or oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp ketjap manis (dark soy sauce)
- 3 tbsp green onions finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Boil rice in water or broth or water-broth combination until cooked. Rinse, drain and spread out on a baking sheet to cool. Prepare the rice at least 2 hours ahead, or preferably the day before, chilling in the refrigerator overnight.
Whisk eggs with sesame oil and salt in a small bowl. In a small fry pan, make 2 thin omelettes and cut into strips. Set aside.
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the grapeseed oil, and heat until it ripples.
Add the shallot, ginger, garlic, and pepper and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Then add the chicken and shrimp and stir-fry for a further 2-3 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Add the cooked rice and continue to stir-fry for 3 minutes.
Stir in the sambal oelek, oyster or fish sauce and ketjap manis and continue to heat, stirring for 2 minutes.
Turn onto large serving platter and garnish with the omelette strips, green onions and fresh cilantro. Serve hot.
Kitchen Items I used to make Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng)
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Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
We like Nasi Goreng and Loreto often makes it at home (without chicken for me). Yours look beautiful and delicious. It must have been amazing to eat it right there, in Bali! What a wonderful trip!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Nicoletta! Yes, this is a really versatile dish—you can add in extra vegetables, or leave out the meat!
Karen Ahmed says
I always wanted to try this recipe – even bought the Katsup Manis!
Flavour & Savour says
I’m sure you’ll love it!
Natalie says
Yum! I love all the flavours from that part of the world. Your nasi goreng look delicious!
Puneeta @MapleandMarigold says
It’s one of my favourite rice dishes. And your version looks delicious! Yum!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Puneeta!
Shareba says
Your trip must have been exciting! It’s nice to have the chance to try different foods in other countries, as sometimes the versions we get at restaurants here in Canada just aren’t quite the same. I’ve only ever had nasi goreng in restaurants, but I’ve been meaning to try making it at home. Thanks for sharing!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Shareba
Yes, I love trying different foods when I travel. I think you can learn a lot about a country and its culture through its food!
Inci @ Bella's Apron says
well, I just found my next shrimp dinner!
Sounds amazing and packed with flavor.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Inci! It’s an easy dish to make too.