Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên)

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.

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.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• 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 ⬇️

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.

FAQ

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

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