Chinese Cuisine

Yangzhou Chao Fan (Yangzhou Fried Rice)

Name: Yangzhou Chao Fan (Yangzhou Fried Rice)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 600 g cold cooked jasmine rice (day-old); 150 g medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into 1 cm pieces; 100 g char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), diced into 1 cm cubes; 3 large eggs; 60 g frozen peas, thawed; 3 scallions, finely sliced, white and green parts separated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp vegetable oil, divided; 15 ml light soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 3 g salt; 2 g white pepper; 2 g salt; 5 g cornstarch

China's most celebrated fried rice with shrimp, char siu, egg, and a colorful array of vegetables

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Yangzhou fried rice is the gold standard, the version against which all other fried rice is measured. It arrives at the table looking like a mosaic: pink shrimp, red char siu, golden egg, bright green peas, and white rice grains, each element distinct and visible. There is a reason it appears on the menu of nearly every Chinese restaurant in the world. When made well, it is a study in balance, with each bite offering a different combination of flavors and textures, each grain of rice separate and coated in a whisper of egg and oil.

The dish takes its name from Yangzhou, a city in Jiangsu province with a culinary history that stretches back to the Sui Dynasty. Yangzhou was once the wealthiest city in China, a crossroads of trade and culture, and its food tradition reflects that prosperity. Yangzhou fried rice is not a simple leftover dish but a considered preparation, one where the quality and variety of the ingredients matter as much as the wok technique.

What distinguishes Yangzhou fried rice from simpler versions is the diversity of its components. The combination of shrimp and char siu provides both sweetness and savory depth. The peas and scallions add color and freshness. The egg, cooked in two stages (some mixed with the rice and some scrambled separately), provides richness and binds the whole dish together.

The practical key is mise en place. Every ingredient must be cut to a similar small size, prepped and ready before the wok heats up. This dish comes together in minutes, and there is no time to dice anything once cooking begins.

At a Glance

Yield

4 servings

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

25 minutes

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

4 servings

1¼ lbcold cooked jasmine rice (day-old)
5½ ozmedium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into 1 cm pieces
3½ ozchar siu (Chinese BBQ pork), diced into 1 cm cubes
3large eggs
2 ozfrozen peas, thawed
3scallions, finely sliced, white and green parts separated
2 clovesgarlic, minced
3 tbspvegetable oil, divided
½ fl ozlight soy sauce
1 tspsesame oil
½ tspsalt
⅞ tspwhite pepper
⅓ tspsalt
1⅞ tspcornstarch

Method

1
Toss the diced shrimp with salt and cornstarch. Set aside. Break up the cold rice with your hands until the grains are separate and loose.
2
Beat the eggs lightly. Pour about one-third of the beaten egg into the rice and mix with your hands until the grains are evenly coated. This technique, called "golden coating" (jin bao yin), gives each grain a golden color and rich flavor.
3
Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add 15 ml of vegetable oil. Add the shrimp pieces and stir-fry for 45 seconds, until pink and barely cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
4
Add another 15 ml of vegetable oil to the wok. Pour in the remaining beaten egg. Let it set for 3 seconds, then scramble quickly into small pieces. When just set, transfer to the plate with the shrimp.
5
Add the remaining 15 ml of vegetable oil to the wok over high heat. Add the garlic and scallion whites. Stir for 5 seconds.
6
Add the egg-coated rice. Spread it across the wok surface and press gently. Let it sear for 15 seconds, then toss. Repeat this pressing and tossing for 2 to 3 minutes. Each grain should become dry, separate, and lightly golden from the egg coating.
7
Add the diced char siu and toss for 30 seconds, allowing it to warm through and lightly caramelize at the edges.
8
Add the thawed peas and toss for another 30 seconds. They should be warm but still bright green.
9
Return the shrimp and scrambled egg to the wok. Toss to distribute evenly.
10
Drizzle the light soy sauce along the edge of the wok. Toss to incorporate. Season with salt and white pepper.
11
Add the scallion greens and toss for 10 seconds.
12
Remove from heat. Drizzle with sesame oil and give one final toss.
13
Taste and adjust seasoning. The rice should be savory but not heavy, with each component clearly identifiable.
14
Mound onto a serving plate or press into a bowl and invert for a dome shape. Serve immediately.

Key Ingredient Benefits

Char siu is a Cantonese roasted pork that typically contains maltose or honey in its glaze. While it adds flavor and richness, it is also higher in sugar and sodium than plain roasted pork. Some research suggests that regularly consuming charred or glazed meats should be balanced with ample vegetable intake.

Peas provide plant protein, fiber, and a range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese. Their bright green color indicates high chlorophyll content and carotenoid presence.

Jasmine rice provides the carbohydrate base of the dish. The day-old cooling process increases resistant starch content, which research associates with improved gut health and blood sugar management.

Why This Works

Coating the rice with raw egg before frying is the defining technique of Yangzhou fried rice. Each grain becomes individually wrapped in a thin layer of egg that sets on contact with the hot wok, creating the "golden coating" effect. This adds richness, color, and flavor to every bite while also helping to keep the grains separate. The egg acts as a moisture barrier, preventing the soy sauce from making the rice soggy.

Cutting all the ingredients to a similar small size ensures that each bite is balanced. You should be able to pick up a clump of rice with chopsticks and find a piece of shrimp, a cube of char siu, a pea, and a bit of egg in a single mouthful.

Char siu, with its sticky, sweet glaze, caramelizes slightly when it hits the hot wok, adding pockets of sweetness that contrast with the savory soy sauce. This interplay of sweet and savory is characteristic of Yangzhou cuisine.

Substitutions & Variations

Char siu: Diced ham, lap cheong (Chinese sausage), or roast duck can substitute. For a quick option, thinly sliced deli ham works in a pinch.
Shrimp: Diced chicken, crab meat, or additional char siu can replace the shrimp. The key is maintaining a variety of flavors and textures.
Peas: Diced carrots, corn kernels, or edamame are common additions or substitutions.
Luxury version: Add diced sea cucumber, dried scallops, or abalone for a premium rendition. This upscale approach is common at banquets.
Vegetarian: Replace the char siu with diced baked tofu and the shrimp with diced water chestnuts for crunch.

Serving Suggestions

Yangzhou fried rice can stand alone as a complete meal, especially for lunch. At a Chinese banquet or multi-course dinner, it traditionally appears toward the end of the meal as a rice course. Pair it with a simple soup, such as egg drop soup or tomato egg soup, and a cold appetizer like dressed jellyfish or marinated cucumber.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot wok, tossing frequently, until piping hot. The rice may need a splash of water and a drizzle of oil to restore its texture. Microwave reheating is acceptable but will not produce the same quality. Freezes well for up to 1 month. Cool rice quickly after cooking and reheat thoroughly to minimize food safety risks.