Ultimate Soy Sauce Fried Rice

Care to share!

Ultimate Soy Sauce Fried Rice is made with a few simple key ingredients and can be easily customized with whatever vegetables and proteins you want to add. I grew up enjoying a simple soy sauce fried rice at home and I love it for its versatility and whenever I have leftover rice.

Key Ingredients: Soy Sauce

But first, let’s talk about the difference between regular soy sauce and dark mushroom soy sauce! These two soy sauces are staples in many of my recipes and my cooking at home, so if you haven’t tried them yet, I’d like to share a little about each to give you an idea.

What is the difference between soy sauce and dark mushroom soy sauce?

Dark mushroom soy sauce

• Dark mushroom soy sauce is what gives this fried rice its rich brown/caramel color. This soy sauce does not add much saltiness but is used to give the dishes a nice caramel brown color. Dark mushroom soy sauce adds a hint of umami to a dish, but not too much saltiness.
• You can choose not to use it but note that the fried rice will be a pale brown.
• You’ll also notice that dark mushroom soy sauce is slightly thicker than regular soy sauce. You can see the way it hits the glass of the bottle – some has caught on and left a light brown color on the glass.
• Go to brands: Guan Ji Ba Pearl River Bridge Dark Mushroom Soy Sauce

Regular or light soy sauce

• On the other hand, regular soy sauce is salty and used to add flavor to food but only adds a light color.
• Some soy sauces will be labeled as ‘light’ and usually have a slightly lighter color than regular soy sauce and don’t leave much color in the food. Even light soy sauce is salty though.
• Regular and light soy sauce can be used interchangeably.
• My go-to brands: Lee Kum Ki (I get their premium soy sauce)

Ingredients you will need for this fried rice

This fried rice recipe (like all fried rice recipes) can be easily customized. You can use any vegetables and protein you like.

The only fried rice needed for a great one is of course leftover or cold rice, and soy sauce to make this soy sauce fried rice.

What you will need:

• 2 cups cooked and cooled rice, I used leftover Japanese or small grain rice
• 3.5 oz shiitake mushrooms or other mushrooms of choice
• Chop a handful of fresh chives
• 1-2 scallions or chopped green onions
• Vegetables and protein of choice (totally up to you!).
• 1-1.5 tsp soy sauce, adjust to taste
• 1 tablespoon dark mushroom soy sauce (see note)
• Pinch of white pepper
• Sesame oil to finish

You can see the complete and printable recipe on the recipe card below 🙂

preparation

• Place the rice in a large bowl and separate with a spoon to separate the grains. Leftover rice is best for fried rice. I had leftover rice from a few days ago so it was refrigerated and the excess moisture evaporated.
• Thinly slice the mushrooms. Set aside. You can use any other vegetables and proteins of your choice and just dice them too.

Cook fried rice

• Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add oil. When hot, add scallions. Fry for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add mushrooms and other vegetables and protein of choice. Leave to brown slightly and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the rice to the pan. Add soy sauce and dark mushroom soy sauce. Add white pepper as well. Reduce the heat to medium-high and then mix the rice well so that it is evenly coated with the seasoning.
• Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Taste the rice and then season with more soy sauce, if desired. Add a generous drizzle of sesame oil to the rice for extra flavor. Mix well.
• Turn off the flame.
• Scoop the rice into a bowl and pack it tightly before inverting the bowls onto a plate to form a round shape. It is best enjoyed while hot.

You can enjoy fried rice as is or with your favorite viands.

More recipes you might like:

You can pin this image: