JAPANESE GARLIC FRIED RICE

     What is the difference between the fried rice catered around the world? I have felt that the basic difference is the RICE used to cook the fried rice, followed by the SAUCES used to flavour the rice, least to mention the UTENSIL used to cook Fried Rice - Chinese Woks /Japanese Tepan Iron Griddle. And lastly, it really depends on where and who’s cooking – every geographical region/country and every single person has got their own version. Fried Rice as such has originated from China and has travelled to the length and breadth of the world with Chinese immigrants and has taken twists and turns to suit the local palates.
     Japanese Garlic Fried Rice called as 'CHAHAN/YAKIMESHI' is a Garlicky and Buttery Fried Rice served with fried Garlic toppings, which adds an extremely wonderful smoked flavour from fried garlic. Japanese Garlic Fried Rice is a little starchier due to the Japanese short grain used to cook this fried Rice.  Garlic is the other main ingredient in this dish which imparts the wonderful garlicky flavour in the Fried Rice.  Besides using garlic in Fried Rice, it is also topped with crisply fried Garlic flakes which impart the basic essence of the dish that makes it unique from other Fried rice recipes.
     With almost no other ingredient/condiment to heighten up the intensity, this Japanese Garlic Fried Rice is unbelievably easy to prepare within no time and it tastes absolutely divine. You can serve this aromatic Japanese Garlic Fried Rice as such or with any other preferred side dishes.

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Cuisine - Japanese (South East Asian)
Course - Main
Spice Level - Low
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15 - 20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 15 -20 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE JAPANESE GARLIC FRIED RICE - CHAHAN

INGREDIENTS :

For Japanese Garlic Fried Rice :

Japanese Short Grain Rice - 2 Cups(Cooked)
Eggs - 2 Nos.
Shimeji Mushrooms - 1 Small Bunch
Garlic - 6-8 Cloves
Ginger - a Small Piece
Light Soy Sauce - 1 Tbspn 
Oyster Sauce - 1/2 Tspn(Optional)
Shaoxing Wine/Mirin - 2 Tbspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - 1 Tspn 
Oil - 2-3 Tbspn

To Garnish :

Scallions/Chives - Few Stalks

METHOD :

• Cook the Japanese Short Grain Rice as per instruction and allow it cool.
• Heat 2 Tspn of Oil in a large pan, fry or scramble the Eggs.  
• Remove it from the pan and keep it aside.
• Heat Butter/Oil in a pan and deep fry chopped Garlic slices(4-5 Cloves) until it turns slightly golden brown in colour and fragrant.
• Remove it from oil and keep it aside.
• Heat the remaining oil and sauté finely chopped Garlic and Ginger until they are aromatic. 
• Add Light Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce and give a quick stir.
• Add in the Shimeji Mushrooms to the above and toss it briefly on a low flame until it cooks.
• Add cooked Rice, along with Salt and a pinch of Sugar. 
• Drizzle Shaoxing Wine/Mirin over the rice.
• Mix it well until every grain is well coated with the sauces.
• Stir in Scrambled Eggs to the rice. 
• Sprinkle White Pepper Powder to the above and give a quick stir.
• Fry the Japanese Garlic Fried Rice on a high flame for few minutes. 
• Switch off the flame. 
• Garnish the Japanese Garlic Fried Rice with fried Garlic Slices and Scallions.
• Aromatic Japanese Garlic Fried Rice/Chahan can be served hot with any dips, sauces.
• Or Simple serve it with Tamagoyaki or Nasu Furai or any other side dishes of your choice.

NOTES :

• Any fragrant long-grained rice variety can also be substituted for the Japanese short grained rice for this recipe.
• Use a day old cooked rice for best results. Obviously, keep them refrigerated.
• Butter gives a better flavour to the dish.
• This Japanese Garlic Fried Rice is mildly flavoured dish with not much of added ingredients and condiments.
• Adjust the number of Garlic, to suit your taste preference.
• Can also add Shrimps, Chicken Pieces, Fish or any other Seafood. 
• Can fry the Eggs and use them as a side dish or scramble them up and mix along with the fried rice.