Japanese Steakhouse Teppanyaki Fried Rice

This is a recipe for Japanese teppanyaki fried rice with carrots, peas, and onion, with the option to make it into tasty chicken fried rice. It tastes just like it’s from a Japanese steakhouse restaurant.

If you’ve been to a Japanese steakhouse, teppanyaki restaurant, or hibachi restaurant, you’ve had this delicious Japanese rice dish.

Many of these restaurants have a teppanyaki or hibachi grill used to cook meat, vegetables, fried rice, noodles, and sometimes the onion volcanoes.

What’s the difference between Chinese and Japanese fried rice?

The main difference between Japanese and Chinese fried rice dishes is the length of the rice grain. 

Chinese dishes tend to use long-grain rice, and Japanese dishes use medium-grain or short-grain rice that tends to be stickier. It’s stickier due to its high proportion of starch and moisture content.

Chinese rice is typically stir-fried and has a crisper bite.

What’s the difference between hibachi and teppanyaki grills?

Hibachi and teppanyaki are both Japanese cooking style grills used in Japan that have been modernized in restaurants today.

A traditional hibachi is a small, portable barbecue grill that is heated with charcoal. This is similar to the American charcoal grills we see.

Teppanyaki, on the other hand, is a flat-top griddle heated over an open flame.

Ingredients for Teppanyaki Fried Rice

• Cooked Short-Grain White Rice
• Butter
• Soy Sauce
• Large Eggs
• Garlic Salt

Optional Add-ins

• Diced Chicken Breasts
• Carrots
• Peas
• Yellow Onion
• Green Onion

How to Make Teppanyaki Fried Rice

For best results, use day-old rice. Day-old rice helps prevent it from becoming too mushy or sticking together after adding butter and soy sauce to this dish.

The closest thing to a teppanyaki grill that most people have in their homes is a modern-day electric griddle. It’s perfect for making teppanyaki fried rice.

That is what we’ll use in the recipe below to get as close as possible to the real thing, but a frying pan or cast-iron skillet on the stovetop also works.

• Preheat a griddle to 375°F or a large skillet on the stove to medium-high heat.
• If adding carrots, peas, or onions to fried rice, cook for 3-4 minutes on a griddle with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil per half cup of vegetables until they begin to soften. Set aside.
• If adding chicken, dice chicken into ½″ cubes, pat diced chicken dry with a paper towel, and season with salt & pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the hot griddle and add chicken. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Set aside.
• Scramble eggs in a small bowl. Add beaten eggs to a lightly greased griddle or skillet. Continue stirring until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

• Melt butter on a griddle and add cooked rice. Stir to mix with melted butter. Drizzle soy sauce over rice and add garlic salt; mix well. Add scrambled eggs (and vegetables and/or chicken if desired) and blend.

What to Serve with Teppanyaki Fried Rice

Teppanyaki Meat: Serve teppanyaki fried rice alongside grilled proteins such as teppanyaki-style steak, chicken, shrimp, or seafood. The combination of the flavorful fried rice and the grilled meats creates a balanced and hearty meal.

Miso Soup: Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, seaweed, tofu, and green onions. It makes a light and comforting accompaniment to teppanyaki fried rice.

Japanese Teppanyaki Vegetables: Prepare teppanyaki-style vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, and onions, cooked with soy sauce, sesame seeds, and other seasonings. These vegetables complement the flavors of the fried rice.

Tonkatsu: Tonkatsu is a classic Japanese dish featuring breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. The pork is usually pounded thin, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown. It is commonly served with shredded cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, and sometimes mustard.

Chicken Katsu: Similar to tonkatsu, chicken katsu consists of breaded and deep-fried chicken cutlets. Chicken breast or thigh meat may be used. It is often served with tonkatsu sauce or a tangy katsu curry sauce.

Sushi Rolls or Sashimi: Add a sushi element to the meal with sushi rolls or sashimi. The combination of teppanyaki fried rice and fresh sushi provides a mix of textures and flavors.

Tempura: Tempura, a dish featuring lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables or seafood, can be served alongside teppanyaki fried rice for a delightful crispness.

Japanese Dipping Sauces: Traditional dipping sauces like soy sauce, ponzu sauce, Japanese ginger sauce, yum yum sauce, or teriyaki sauce for drizzling over the fried rice or dipping meat.

Green Tea: Conclude the meal with a cup of green tea, which complements the overall Japanese meal and aids digestion.

Storing Leftovers

The general guideline for how long rice can sit at room temperature without refrigeration is about 2 hours. After this time, the risk of bacterial growth increases, and the rice may become unsafe to eat.

Rice contains spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can survive cooking. If cooked rice is left at room temperature for an extended period, these spores can multiply, leading to the production of toxins.

Reheating the rice may not eliminate these toxins, making the rice unsafe to consume.

Refrigerator

Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Make sure to allow the fried rice to cool down to room temperature before placing it in the fridge.

Freezer

Fried rice with eggs can be stored in the freezer for approximately 3 to 6 months.

Allow the fried rice to cool to room temperature before freezing. Divide the fried rice into individual portions or use airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.

Once fried rice has been thawed and reheated, it’s best not to refreeze it. This is because the quality of the rice decreases, and there is an increased risk of bacterial growth.

Reheating Leftover Fried Rice

Microwave

• Transfer the leftover fried rice to a bowl.
• If the rice has clumped together in the refrigerator, use a fork or spoon to break up the clumps.
• To prevent the rice from drying out, drape a damp paper towel over the top of the bowl. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of water or broth to the rice.
• Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

Stove Top

• Heat a large skillet with a small amount of oil or liquid. This can be canola oil, soy sauce, or even a bit of water to add moisture to the rice. Do not add too much water, or it can become mushy.
• If the fried rice has clumped together in the refrigerator, use a spatula to break up the clumps.
• Add the leftover fried rice to the skillet. Stir and toss the rice to ensure even heating.
• Reheat on medium heat to prevent burning. Continue stirring until it’s heated through.

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