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Minimal Cooking, Fried Rice Recipes




5 Easy Asian-Style Fried Rice Dishes (Halal & Minimalist Cooking)

Fried rice has always been my go-to quick and satisfying meal. It’s the perfect dish for minimalists—it requires just a handful of ingredients, comes together in minutes, and is incredibly versatile. You can keep it simple or elevate it into something gourmet by adding extra ingredients.

Here are five of my favorite Asian-style fried rice recipes, all made with halal-friendly ingredients.


1. Classic Garlic Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Bawang Putih)

This is the simplest fried rice dish, yet so flavorful. It’s great for days when I don’t feel like cooking a complicated meal.

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp cooking oil

1 tsp soy sauce

Salt & pepper to taste


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the minced garlic until golden brown.

2. Add the rice and stir-fry over medium heat.

3. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

4. Stir well and serve hot.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Egg: Scramble an egg before adding the rice.

Protein: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or beef.

Toppings: Fried shallots, chopped scallions, or chili flakes for extra flavor.


2. Malaysian Kampung Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Kampung)

A classic village-style fried rice, this dish has a wonderful mix of spicy and savory flavors.

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice

2 tbsp cooking oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 shallot, sliced

1 tbsp chili paste (sambal or blended dried chilies)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp shrimp paste (belacan) (optional but adds depth!)

Salt & pepper to taste


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil and sauté garlic, shallot, and chili paste until fragrant.

2. Add shrimp paste (if using) and stir-fry until well combined.

3. Toss in the rice and mix well.

4. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

5. Stir-fry for another minute and serve.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Protein: Fried anchovies, chicken, or shrimp.

Veggies: Long beans, kangkung (water spinach), or cabbage.

Egg: Serve with a fried egg on top.


3. Indonesian Egg Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Telur)

This is a simple street food-style fried rice that’s incredibly easy to make and packed with umami.

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice

2 eggs

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)

1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil and scramble the eggs until cooked. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, sauté garlic until golden brown.

3. Add the rice and mix well.

4. Stir in the sweet soy sauce, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.

5. Add the scrambled eggs back in and mix. Serve hot.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Protein: Diced chicken, prawns, or tofu.

Toppings: Fried shallots, pickled cucumbers, or crushed prawn crackers.


4. Thai-Style Basil Fried Rice (Khao Pad Kaprao)

A fragrant Thai-style fried rice with the aromatic taste of basil.

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice

200g minced chicken (or beef)

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 red chili, sliced

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp fish sauce (or extra soy sauce for a halal option)

A handful of fresh basil leaves


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil and sauté garlic and chili until fragrant.

2. Add the minced chicken and stir-fry until fully cooked.

3. Pour in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce (if using).

4. Toss in the rice and mix well.

5. Add basil leaves and stir quickly before turning off the heat.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Egg: Serve with a crispy fried egg on top.

Toppings: Sliced cucumbers or fresh lime wedges.


5. Chinese-Style Yangzhou Fried Rice

A simple yet luxurious Chinese-style fried rice that’s full of texture.

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice

2 eggs

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

1/2 cup cooked chicken or shrimp

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp white pepper

1 tsp sesame oil


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil and scramble the eggs. Set aside.

2. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add mixed vegetables and protein.

3. Add the rice and season with soy sauce, white pepper, and sesame oil.

4. Toss everything together and serve hot.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Toppings: Chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds.

Protein Upgrade: Diced beef or crab meat for extra indulgence.


Why Fried Rice is Perfect for Minimalist Cooking

✔️ Uses minimal ingredients – You only need rice, seasoning, and a few extras.
✔️ Customizable – You can keep it simple or make it gourmet.
✔️ No fancy equipment needed – Just a wok, pan, or rice cooker.
✔️ Reduces food waste – A great way to use up leftover rice and vegetables.
✔️ Halal-friendly – Easily adaptable with halal ingredients.

Each of these recipes starts with a simple base, but with just a few extra ingredients, you can turn them into something truly special. Whether you're looking for a quick meal or something fancy for guests, fried rice always delivers.

Do you have a favorite Asian-style fried rice recipe? Let me know in the comments!


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