Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) Recipe
Nasi Goreng is the favored Indonesian fried rice which is historically served with a fried egg. I like the distinctive darkish brown, caramelised color of the rice! It’s a easy recipe, you received’t must search out any uncommon elements, and it’s one in every of my favorite Indonesian meals – and I’m betting you’ll like it too. 🙂
Anybody who has been to Bali could be conversant in Nasi Goreng and doubtless had it nearly day-after-day as a result of it’s in every single place and darn scrumptious!
So for individuals who have tried and love Nasi Goreng, you can be stunned how straightforward that is to make in your very own residence.
And for individuals who haven’t tried it, I hope you do!
What’s Nasi Goreng?
The literal translation of Nasi Goreng is “fried rice” in Indonesian and Malaysian – and that’s precisely what it’s! It’s primarily rice with just a bit little bit of meat and simply onion for the greens. The factor that distinguishes it from different Fried Rice dishes is the sauce which is made with kecap manis, a candy soy sauce that stains the rice darkish brown and caramelises the rice when it cooks.
Sometimes it’s served with a sunny aspect up egg (love how the yolk runs into the rice!) and a aspect of contemporary cucumber and tomato (no dressing) to make a meal of it.
As with nearly each conventional dish, there are lots of variations of Nasi Goreng. Some are extra sophisticated than others, calling for using dried shrimp (belacan) which, astonishingly, is now bought in giant supermarkets in Australia in addition to Asian shops.
I make it with, and I make it with out. It’s tasty even with out dried shrimp – and in reality, after I initially shared this Nasi Goreng recipe in 2016, I selected the model with out shrimp paste due to that purpose.
However it is tastier and extra genuine with dried shrimp.
So I’ve compromised and brought the simple route through the use of shrimp paste reasonably than dried shrimp which requires extra effort within the preparation course of (crumble and toast earlier than utilizing).
A distinguishing characteristic of Nasi Goreng is the darkish brown color of the rice from the kecap manis / ketjap manis which is an Indonesian candy soy sauce. It’s thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce, with a consistency like syrup.
Don’t go operating for the hills considering it’s a hard-to-find-ingredient! Right here in Australia, kecap manis is out there in main supermarkets (see right here for Woolworths).
And in the event you can’t discover it at your grocery store, don’t fear! It’s SO straightforward to make – simply cut back soy sauce and brown sugar. Significantly. I’ve included instructions within the recipe for you.
Whereas shrimp paste is optionally available, the COLD cooked rice known as for just isn’t!
It’s merely not potential to make any fried rice with scorching, freshly cooked rice – it will get form of stickier when stir fried in sauce.
Alternatively, day previous chilly rice is drier and tougher, so the rice will be stir fried within the sauce in a manner that makes it develop into caramelised which provides Nasi Goreng the signature color and flavour.
Speedy possibility: Cook dinner the rice, unfold out on tray then FREEZE for 1 – 2 hours, or refrigerate for 3 – 4 hours. It’s not nearly cooling the rice, it’s additionally about making the floor of the rice dry out.
The making half may be very simple, no completely different to typical fried rice recipes. Garlic, chilli and onion first, then chicken, then rice, kecap manis and shrimp paste, if utilizing.
Cook dinner for a few minutes till the rice grains begin to caramelise. Belief me – you’ll know when it’s prepared, it smells superb!
Nasi Goreng is historically served with a fried egg and a aspect of contemporary greens (generally plain juicy wedges of tomato and cucumber).
Each these aspect choices are very typical in varied elements of Asia so as to add protein and greens to a plate to show one thing carb-heavy right into a meal.
Nasi Goreng can be a terrific Asian aspect dish possibility, one thing slightly completely different that packs a little bit of a flavour punch! Strive it on the aspect of:
-
Indonesian or Thai Chicken Satay Skewers
-
Asian Marinated Chicken
-
Asian Chilli Garlic Shrimp/Prawns – large punchy flavours, tastes like Thai Chilli jam!
-
Marinated Thai Chicken (Gai Yang)
-
Chinese language Barbecue Pork (Char Siu)
Or have a browse of my Asian recipes assortment for extra concepts!
I do hope you do this. Tremendous tasty, it’s most likely probably the most flavour packed Asian fried rice dishes! – Johnsat x
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 5 oz / 150g chicken breast , thinly sliced (or other protein)
- 1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
- 1.5 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
- 1 tsp red chilli , finely chopped (Note 2)
- 1 onion , small, diced
- 3 cups cooked white rice , day old, cold (Note 3)
- 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
- 2 tsp shrimp paste , optional (Note 4)
- 4 eggs , fried to taste
- 1 green onion , sliced
- Tomatos and cucumbers, cut into wedges/chunks
- Fried shallots , store bought (optional) (Note 3)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add chilli and garlic, stir for 10 seconds.
- Add onion, cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken, cook until it mostly turns white, then add 1 tbsp kecap manis and cook for a further 1 minute or until chicken is mostly cooked through and a bit caramelised.
- Add rice, 2 tbsp kecap manis and shrimp paste, if using. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until sauce reduces down and rice grains start to caramelise (key for flavour!).
- Serve, garnished with garnishes of choice (green onions, red chilli, fried shallots).
- Serve as a side for Asian main dishes or as part of a large spread, Asian or not! 🙂 See in post for suggestions.
- Make it a meal – traditional Indonesian style!: Serve with a fried egg sunny side up (runny yolk!), tomato wedges and slices of cucumber on the side.
Notes
1. Kecap Manis (sometimes called Ketjap Manis) is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce that is thicker than other soy sauces. Sometimes just labelled as “sweet soy sauce”. Consistency resembles maple syrup, available in most supermarkets in Australia (Woolworths, Coles, Harris Farms).
Also easy to make your own! Just combine 1/4 cup ordinary soy sauce (I use Kikkoman) and 1/4 cup brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce until it becomes a maple syrup consistency. It will thicken more when it cools.
2. Chilli – I use 2 birds eye or Thai red chillies, adds a mild warmth, doesn’t make it spicy. Adjust to taste. Chilli paste can also be used instead – add it when you add the rice.
3. Day old cooked rice – All types of fried rice are best made using day old cooked rice that has been refrigerated overnight. It dries it out, making it easier to stir fry to evenly coat the grains with the flavourings. TIP: Keep bags of cooked rice in the freezer! Fabulous for fried rice, or even using plain.
4. Shrimp paste – Adds depth of flavour and complexity, but is optional. Traditional dish uses belacan which is dried shrimp blocks, requires crumbling then toasting prior to use. Same flavour achieved with any shrimp paste which you can just dollop in. Any shrimp paste brand/type is fine.
Still tasty WITHOUT shrimp paste. SUB with more kecap mans OR 1 tbsp fish sauce!
5. Fried shallots are slices shallots that have been fried until crunchy. They are a great garnish and add a pop of texture to the dish but are optional because it’s not traditional! Fried shallots can be purchased at most supermarkets in Australia (see here for Woolworths).
6. Make this GLUTEN FREE by making your own kecap manis (Note 1) using Tamari.
7. Storage – as with all fried rice, it keeps great for a day or two in the fridge then I find it gets a bit dry. Salvage it with a sprinkle of water then microwave it – makes it all steamy and moist again! Do the same if you freeze it.
8. Nutrition per serving including egg.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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