• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Sweet Spoon

  • Recipe Index
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About Me
×

Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên)

Published: Mar 15, 2023 · Modified: Mar 23, 2023 by Quynh · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
Serving bowl of Vietnamese Fried Rice with Chinese sausages, shrimp, and vegetables.

This Vietnamese fried rice, or cơm chiên, is my absolute favorite! It's quicker than waiting for takeout and completely customizable with any of your favorite add-ins.

Serving bowl of Vietnamese Fried Rice with Chinese sausages, shrimp, and vegetables.

It is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as an entrée or side. This traditional Vietnamese meal consists of cooked white or brown rice, which has been stir-fried in oil with various vegetables, Chinese sausage (lạp xưởng), shrimp, and seasonings.

What is the difference between Chinese and Vietnamese fried rice?

Chinese fried rice and Vietnamese fried rice are two different dishes that share similar ingredients but offer a distinct flavor. Chinese fried rice is typically made with jasmine or basmati white rice, vegetables, and eggs. Traditional seasonings include sesame oil, soy sauce, and salt. The dish is usually cooked in a wok over high heat with a small amount of oil.

Vietnamese fried rice, on the other hand, is made with long-grained white rice, various types of meat (such as Chinese sausages, pork, chicken, or shrimp), and vegetables. It is usually seasoned with fish sauce instead of soy sauce, or sometimes with both, for a slightly different flavor profile. The ingredients are typically mixed together in the pot and allowed to simmer until fully cooked.

Both versions of fried rice can be served as a main dish or used as part of a larger meal. They are both relatively easy to prepare and require minimal ingredients. They make a great option for busy weeknights as they can be made in under 15 minutes.

Why you'll love this recipe

  • Quick and easy one-pot meal: use frozen veggies to save time. It doesn't get any easier than this. It's great for a weeknight meal, either as a main dish or a side dish.
  • Customizable: Add any veggies or protein you have on hand. It's a great way to clean out your fridge. I like adding extra veggies to make it a true one-pot meal.
  • Healthy: You can adjust the amount of sodium and oil to your liking.
  • Kid Friendly: You can't go wrong with fried rice! Adjust to your family's preference.
  • Budget-Friendly: cheap and healthy. It makes a huge batch so that you have leftovers for a few days.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients needed for Vietnamese Fried Rice (com chien): white rice, Chinese Sausage, shrimp, mixed vegetables, onion, garlic, oil, chicken bouillon powder, sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, ground pepper, butter, and egg.
Chinese sausages and sauces for the fried rice.
  • White Rice (Cooked and completely cooled, preferably overnight): Any kind of white or brown rice will do. Just make sure it is cooked and thoroughly chilled. Leftover, day-old rice is the best since it is dry and will soak up the seasoning and flavor without becoming too sticky.
  • Chinese Sausage (lạp xưởng or lap cheong): Find this at your local Asian grocery store or online.
  • Fresh, frozen, or dried shrimp: If you're using frozen shrimp, let it thaw completely and dry it before adding it in.
  • Eggs: this adds flavor, texture, and protein to the dish.
  • Olive oil and sesame oil: olive oil to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pot, and sesame oil is added for the finishing touch. You can find sesame oil in the international section of the grocery store, or order it on Amazon.
  • Butter: this is the secret ingredient that makes it so tasty! I learned this trick from my mom.
  • Onion and garlic: diced and minced for aromatic flavoring.
  • Frozen or Fresh Mixed Vegetables: peas, carrots, corn, and green beans are popular choices, but feel free to add any other stir-fry veggies you love.
  • Chicken bouillon powder: for flavor. Find it at your local Asian store, or on Amazon. You can also substitute it with chicken stock concentrate or salt.
  • Ground pepper: for flavor.
  • Fish sauce: use high-quality fish sauce as this is the main seasoning for the fried rice. It can be found in the International section of your local grocery store, at your local Asian supermarket, or on Amazon.
  • Soy sauce: I used Maggi seasoning soy sauce, but you can use any.
  • Oyster sauce: This can be found in the International section of your local grocery store, at your local Asian supermarket, or on Amazon. If you're not a fan of oyster sauce or want to substitute it for something else, try hoisin sauce or teriyaki sauce.
  • Sugar: used as a sweetener to balance out the saltiness from the sauces.

How to make Vietnamese Fried Rice (Com Chien)

⬇️ Please scroll down to the recipe card to see the full ingredient amounts and instructions ⬇️

Process step of frying Chinese sausages and cooking shrimp.
Process steps of sautéing onions and mixed vegetables.
Process of moving vegetables to one side and adding eggs.
Process shot of adding all the ingredients together for the fried rice.
  1. Cook the sausages and shrimp: In a wok or skillet, on medium heat, cook sausages for 1 minute on each side. Remove, set it aside, and drain the fat. Cook the shrimp until no longer opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp and set it aside. Clean the wok or skillet.
  2. Sauté the veggies: Add oil to the wok or skillet, and sauté the onions and garlic for 1 minute. Then, push the onions to one side of the wok or skillet and add the mixed vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Note: veggies should still be slightly undercooked)
  3. Add egg: Use a spatula to push the veggies to one side of the wok or skillet. Add the beaten egg - cook and scramble the egg until no longer runny.
  4. Stir fry everything together: Add in the white rice, Chinese sausages, shrimp, sesame oil, chicken bouillon powder, ground pepper, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and butter. Give it a good stir. Then, turn the heat to medium-high and let the bottom get crispy for 2 minutes, stir and repeat a couple of times.
  5. Serve warm as a main or side dish. Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

  • Start with cold, cooked rice. For best results, use day-old rice that has been refrigerated overnight, as this will help the rice to get crispy. Freshly cooked rice will result in soggy and sticky fried rice. If you don't have time to cook rice beforehand, spread freshly cooked rice out on a sheet pan or plate (uncovered) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or freeze for 10 minutes) until it is thoroughly chilled but not frozen.
  • Use butter! This is the secret ingredient that takes normal fried rice to the next level.
  • Use a wok or large skillet to cook the fried rice. The heat should be high, and you should use a generous amount of oil so that your ingredients don’t stick together.
  • When adding the ingredients, make sure to add them in order of hardness: Begin with the proteins, then add softer vegetables such as carrots and peas, and finally add the cooked rice.
  • Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything together so that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the pan.
  • Let the bottom brown a bit: Once your ingredients have been added, let them cook until they are golden and crispy. Give them a good stir every few minutes to ensure that nothing sticks or burns.
  • Finally, season the fried rice with soy sauce and other flavorings of your choosing, such as sesame oil or fish sauce.
Serving bowl of Vietnamese Fried Rice with Chinese sausages, shrimp, and vegetables.

FAQ

What is Vietnamese fried rice made of?

There are so many different versions and variations of Vietnamese fried rice. The main ingredients are white rice, vegetables, protein (such as Chinese sausages, shrimp, chicken, or pork), and seasonings such as soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.

What gives fried rice its distinct taste?

There are a few sauces that give fried rice it's flavoring. The most important ones are soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. The right amount and ratio are key!

My fried rice is too dry. What can I do?

Sometimes leftover rice tends to dry out. Add a splash of water to help soften the rice again.

My rice is too soggy. What can I do?

If the rice is too soggy, either from adding too much water when cooking the rice or from not giving it enough time to cool, turn the heat high and spread the rice out to let the moisture evaporate.

How long does fried rice last?

Fried rice will last around 3-5 days in the fridge if stored properly.

How to store leftovers

To maintain freshness, the best way to store it is in an airtight container or plastic bag. It should be placed in the refrigerator within two hours after cooking. It will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, make sure that the temperature of the food should reach at least 165°F before consuming.

Fried rice can easily be frozen and stored for later use. To freeze fried rice, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag. Make sure to press out any excess air from the container or bag before sealing and freezing. It will last three months in the freezer. When ready to use, transfer the frozen fried rice to a covered dish or container and reheat it in the oven or microwave.

RECIPE

Serving bowl of Vietnamese Fried Rice (Com Chien)

Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên)

Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Cơm Chiên, Fried Rice, Vietnamese Fried Rice
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 632kcal
The BEST Vietnamese fried rice (com chien). Quicker than waiting for takeout and completely customizable with any of your favorite add-ins. This recipe is loaded with Chinese sausages, shrimp, and veggies for a complete one pot meal in less than 15 minutes!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 Chinese sausages (lạp xưởng) sliced diagonally
  • ½ pound fresh, frozen, or dried shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups cooked white rice (cold, leftover rice)
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ tablespoon fish sauce
  • ½ tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Cook the sausages and shrimp: In a wok or skillet, on medium heat, cook sausages for 1 minute on each side. Remove, set it aside, and drain the fat. Cook the shrimp until no longer opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp and set it aside. Clean the wok or skillet.
  • Sauté the veggies: Add oil to the wok or skillet, and sauté the onions and garlic for 1 minute. Then, push the onions to one side of the wok or skillet and add the mixed vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Note: veggies should still be slightly undercooked)
  • Add egg: Use a spatula to push the veggies to one side of the wok or skillet. Add the beaten egg - cook and scramble the egg until no longer runny.
  • Stir fry everything together: Add in the white rice, Chinese sausages, shrimp, sesame oil, chicken bouillon powder, ground pepper, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and butter. Give it a good stir. Then, turn the heat to medium-high and let the bottom get crispy for 2 minutes, stir and repeat a couple of times.
  • Serve warm as a main or side dish.

Notes

  • Start with cold, cooked rice. For best results, use day-old rice that has been refrigerated overnight, as this will help the rice to get crispy. Freshly cooked rice will result in soggy and sticky fried rice. If you don't have time to cook rice beforehand, spread freshly cooked rice out on a sheet pan or plate (uncovered) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or freeze for 10 minutes) until it is thoroughly chilled but not frozen.
  • Use butter! This is the secret ingredient that takes normal fried rice to the next level.
  • Use a wok or large skillet to cook the fried rice. The heat should be high, and you should use a generous amount of oil so that your ingredients don’t stick together.
  • When adding the ingredients, make sure to add them in order of hardness: Begin with the proteins, then add softer vegetables such as carrots and peas, and finally add the cooked rice.
  • Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything together so that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the pan.
  • Let the bottom brown a bit: Once your ingredients have been added, let them cook until they are golden and crispy. Give them a good stir every few minutes to ensure that nothing sticks or burns.
  • Finally, season the fried rice with soy sauce and other flavorings of your choosing, such as sesame oil or fish sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 632kcal

Have you tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating and comment below to let me know what you think!

More Vietnamese Recipes

  • Mi Xao Gion (Pan fried noodles) with shrimp, scallops, and vegetables on a plate.
    Mì Xào Giòn (Crispy Pan Fried Noodles)
  • Rows of baked Pate Chaud on a tray.
    Pâté Chaud (Bánh Patê Sô / Vietnamese Meat Pastries)
  • Xiu mai on a plate with sides of sliced bread.
    Xíu Mại (Vietnamese Meatballs)
  • A plate of bot chien with pickled carrots and daikon on top and dipping sauce on the side.
    Bánh Bột Chiên (Vietnamese Fried Rice Flour Cake)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anjali

    March 16, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    Love this easy fried rice! It was so flavorful and satisfying, it made for a delicious lunch for our family today!

    Reply
  2. Lily

    March 16, 2023 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    Your recipes always turn out tasting great!

    Reply
  3. Vicky

    March 15, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love customizing this dish. I am not a fan of peas, so I just left those out and it still turned out amazing. Such great flavor and very filling!

    Reply
  4. Andrea

    March 15, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    5 stars
    Loving this quick and easy one pot meal. Fantastic flavors and really like that it is customizable to my families likes.

    Reply
  5. Gina Abernathy

    March 15, 2023 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner last night and it was fabulous. I used conecuh sausage for the meat and broccoli for the vegetable. So good!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Quynh!  I'm a busy mom who loves sharing all the recipes I create in my kitchen! My recipes are made with busy families and young kids in mind.

More about me →

Popular

  • Serving bowl of Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast.
    Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
  • bowl of instant pot beef stew with bread on the side.
    Instant Pot Beef Stew
  • pot of thit kho with two bowls of rice and a side plate of green vegetables.
    Thịt Kho (Vietnamese Braised Pork and Eggs)
  • A plate of Instant Pot Japanese beef curry with rice.
    Instant Pot Japanese Curry
  • Bowl of instant pot butternut squash soup.
    Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
  • Matcha White Chocolate Cookies on a tray.
    Best Matcha White Chocolate Cookies

Footer

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme