Chinese
Simple Fried Rice
A quick and easy fried rice using leftover rice, eggs, and onions. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
About this recipe
Simple Fried Rice is a chinese lunch for 2 that is a fast, high-heat stir-fry — have everything chopped before the wok gets hot. It’s built around egg, and it takes around 20 min start to finish. We sized it for a small household and ranked it on OneToCook by how much of it you already have in the fridge.
Good to know
* Dietary flags are derived from the listed ingredients — always check labels and your own needs for allergens.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 egg
- 1/2 medium onion
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- to taste salt
- pinch white pepper
Equipment
Method
- 1
DiceDice.Cut into even cubes so the pieces cook at the same rate.Glossary → the onion.
~2 min
- 2
Lightly beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and white pepper.
~1 min
- 3
Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in the wok over medium-high heat. Scramble the eggs until just cooked, then set aside.
~2 min
- 4
Add the remaining 1 tbsp cooking oil to the wok. Add the dicedDice.Cut into even cubes so the pieces cook at the same rate.Glossary → onion and stir-fryStir-fry.Cook small pieces fast over high heat while constantly moving them.Glossary → until fragrant and slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.
~3 min
- 5
Add the cooked rice to the wok. Break up any clumps and stir-fryStir-fry.Cook small pieces fast over high heat while constantly moving them.Glossary → until heated through.
~5 min
- 6
Push the rice to one side of the wok. Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce to the empty side and let them heat up for a few seconds before mixing them into the rice.
~2 min
- 7
Return the scrambled eggs to the wok. Add the sesame oil and stir everything together to combine. Season with salt and white pepper if needed.
~3 min
- 8
Serve hot.
~1 min
Smart swaps
Out of something? Try one of these.
- Soy sauce
- tamari (gluten-free) or, in a pinch, a mix of Worcestershire sauce and water.
- Oyster sauce
- hoisin loosened with a splash of soy, or soy sauce + a small pinch of sugar.
- Sesame oil
- use sparingly — a tiny bit of tahini, or just skip it; it’s a finishing flavour.
Cook's notes
- Dice the onion before anything heats up so it’s ready when the pan is — a even dice cooks evenly. How to dice an onion →
- Rinse the rice until the water runs (mostly) clear for fluffier, less gummy grains. How to wash & cook rice →
Storage & leftovers
Cooked rice needs care: cool it quickly (within an hour), refrigerate in a covered container, and eat within a day — reheating it until piping hot all the way through. Don’t leave cooked rice at room temperature.
Frequently asked
How long does Simple Fried Rice take to make? +
Around 20 min from start to finish, almost all of it hands-on.
How many people does this recipe serve? +
As written it serves 2. To cook for 4, roughly multiply the ingredients — but cook in batches if the pan gets crowded, so things sear instead of steaming.
What equipment do I need? +
You’ll want: frying pan / wok, gas stove. OneToCook only suggests recipes that fit the equipment you tell it you have, so you can filter these out if your kitchen is more minimal.
What can I use if I'm missing an ingredient? +
Common swaps for this dish: Soy sauce → tamari (gluten-free) or, in a pinch, a mix of Worcestershire sauce and water; Oyster sauce → hoisin loosened with a splash of soy, or soy sauce + a small pinch of sugar; Sesame oil → use sparingly — a tiny bit of tahini, or just skip it; it’s a finishing flavour. See the full list of smart swaps above.
Can I make Simple Fried Rice ahead of time? +
Cooked rice needs care: cool it quickly (within an hour), refrigerate in a covered container, and eat within a day — reheating it until piping hot all the way through. Don’t leave cooked rice at room temperature.
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