🍚 Thai Fried Rice (Khao Pad) Super Detailed Recipe + Hong Kong-Style Cooking Tips

Thai fried rice (Khao Pad) is arguably the most popular and versatile dish in Hong Kong and Thai restaurants. Whether it's with pork, chicken, beef, seafood, or even vegetarian dishes, it's a favorite! Stir-fry until fragrant, then add lime and fish sauce to enhance the flavor. It's perfect as a vegetarian main course or side dish. Here's a step-by-step guide to making it truly Thai-flavored and with distinct rice grains. It's easy to become a master chef at home! 🍤🍋🥚

Ingredients (Serves 2-3)

• 2 bowls of leftover rice (the best way to cook it is to use leftover rice, as the rice grains are dry enough)

• 100-150g chicken/pork/beef/shrimp (diced or shrimp with backs and intestines removed)

• 2 eggs

• Half a carrot (chopped finely, optional)

• Half an onion (finely diced)

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 2 green onions (diced)

• Cucumber slices and tomato slices (for garnish)

• Coriander, lime, chili pepper (for garnish and flavor)

• 2 tablespoons oil

Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (for the most authentic taste, you can use light soy sauce instead)

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

• 1/2 tablespoon sugar

• Lime juice (for serving)

Detailed cooking process

1️⃣ Wash and chop the chicken, pork, beef and shrimp into small pieces. Cut the seasonings and set aside.
2️⃣ Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat, add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add onion and carrot and stir-fry until translucent.
3️⃣ Add egg liquid and stir-fry until half solidified, then add meat/shrimp and stir-fry until fully cooked.
4️⃣ Add the leftover rice to the wok, use a spatula to quickly crush the rice grains, and stir-fry evenly with the eggs and meat.
5️⃣ Add fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and white pepper and stir-fry until all ingredients are colored.
6️⃣ Add chopped green onions and stir well, stir-fry until the rice grains are dry and distinct and fragrant.
7️⃣ Serve the dish with cucumber and tomato slices around the edge, sprinkle with cilantro, squeeze on lime juice, and add chili peppers for a Thai flavor!

Editor's Tips

• Make fried rice with leftover rice. If it's not dry enough, you can steam it for a few seconds and let it cool down.

• Don’t use too much fish sauce. Try it while frying. If it’s not enough, add more.

• You can mix pork, beef, chicken and shrimp, and the taste is different every time.

• Make sure the pan is hot enough before frying the eggs and rice. The key is to let the steam from the wok rise first.

• If you like strong flavor, you can add a spoonful of chili oil or chili paste to fry together.

• Be sure to squeeze lime when serving to enhance the aroma!

A perfectly cooked Thai fried rice is perfect for a quick lunch on a workday, a family dinner, or a party with friends! My personal secret is to always sprinkle plenty of cilantro, lime, and chili on it after cooking. Even vegetarians won't be able to stop eating it! 🤤🥢🍤