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Benihana Fried Rice

This copycat Benihana fried rice brings the buttery, savory flavor of the Japanese steakhouse classic to your home kitchen in just minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese teppanyaki
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 3 cups cooked day-old white rice chilled and broken into individual grains
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 3 large eggs whisked together
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced zucchini
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions for garnish
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • Large flat-top griddle or cast-iron skillet
  • Wooden spatulas or metal scrapers
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • colander

Method
 

  1. Dice the onion, carrots and zucchini into pea-size pieces and finely mince the garlic; whisk the eggs until no streaks remain. (5 minutes)
  2. Use your fingers to separate the chilled rice into individual grains so no clumps remain. (1 minute)
  3. Preheat a flat-top griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until a drop of water sizzles on contact.
  4. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter on the hot surface, add the diced onion, carrot, zucchini and minced garlic, and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent.
  5. Push vegetables to one side, add another tablespoon of butter to the empty space, pour in the beaten eggs and scramble for 2–3 minutes until fully cooked.
  6. Spread the separated rice over the eggs and vegetables, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and stir-fry continuously for 4–5 minutes until the rice is hot and lightly crisped.
  7. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice, season with white pepper and salt to taste, and toss for 1–2 minutes until every grain is evenly coated.
  8. Transfer the fried rice to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best texture, always use day-old chilled rice; freshly cooked or warm rice will turn mushy instead of crisping on the griddle.