Sides
Benihana Inspired Hibachi Fried Rice
Buttery Japanese-steakhouse-style fried rice with egg, crisp vegetables, soy seasoning, and a hint of garlic and sesame.
Inspired by Benihana
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cooking Tools
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 11 ingredients
- • 4 cups cooked long-grain white rice, chilled overnight
- • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- • 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- • 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce, plus 2 tablespoons for the rice
- • 1 teaspoon neutral oil
- • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- • 1 small carrot, finely diced
- • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- • 3 scallions, white and green parts separated and sliced
- • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 4 cups cooked long-grain white rice, chilled overnightMissing
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softenedMissing
- 1 clove garlic, finely gratedMissing
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce, plus 2 tablespoons for the riceMissing
- 1 teaspoon neutral oilMissing
- 3 large eggs, lightly beatenMissing
- 1 small carrot, finely dicedMissing
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawedMissing
- 3 scallions, white and green parts separated and slicedMissing
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oilMissing
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepperMissing
Optional ingredients are not counted as required.
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Method
Recipe notes
Cold, dry rice separates and toasts instead of steaming into clumps. Garlic butter goes in near the end so its milk solids and garlic flavor coat the grains without scorching.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Cool cooked rice quickly in a shallow container, refrigerate within 2 hours, and use within 4 days. Refrigerate fried rice promptly and reheat once to 165 F until steaming throughout.
Make-ahead tips
Cook and chill rice 1 day ahead, mix garlic butter, and dice vegetables. Once the skillet is hot, the fried rice comes together in about 10 minutes.
What to serve with it
- - Hibachi-style steak or chicken
- - Sauteed zucchini and mushrooms
- - Cucumber salad with sesame dressing
Equipment needed
- - Large flat-top griddle, wok, or wide skillet
- - Sturdy spatula
- - Shallow tray for cooling rice
Difficulty explained
The technique is quick and approachable, but cold rice and a wide, thoroughly heated cooking surface are essential.
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Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Tamari
Use tamari in the same amount for a similar savory profile.
Long-grain brown rice
Use the same volume of long-grain brown rice for a whole-grain variation.
Plant-based butter
Use a firm, baking-style plant butter in the same amount.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Warm, freshly piled rice traps steam and turns mushy instead of developing separate toasted grains.
- A small or crowded skillet cools down and steams the rice; cook in two batches if necessary.
- Adding garlic butter at the beginning can burn the garlic and milk solids before the rice is hot.
Nutrition Context
- Rice supplies most of the carbohydrate, while eggs add protein and butter provides the characteristic richness.
- Using low-sodium soy sauce and adding extra peas or carrots can make the side more vegetable-forward and easier to season gradually.
FAQ
Why use day-old rice?
Refrigeration dries and firms the grains so they separate and toast rather than turning soft and sticky.
Can I use freshly cooked rice?
Spread it thinly on a tray and chill it until completely cold and dry before stir-frying.
Why is my fried rice mushy?
The rice was likely warm or the pan was crowded. Use cold rice and cook in batches on high heat.
Can I add meat or shrimp?
Yes. Add fully cooked bite-size protein near the end and reheat it to 165 F.
What makes it taste like hibachi rice?
Garlic-soy butter, a very hot flat cooking surface, and a small amount of sesame oil create the signature finish.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Hibachi-style steak or chicken; Sauteed zucchini and mushrooms; Cucumber salad with sesame dressing. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.