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    Home > Recipes > All Recipes

    Ginger Fried Rice

    Published: Nov 21, 2013 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 15 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    ginger fried rice


    fried rice topped with a fried egg on a white plate

    With very few ingredients, this simple Ginger Fried Rice is full of flavor and makes a super simple lunch or dinner.

    There are so many wonderful things about this way of life we've chosen.

    Frank and I moved to Bangkok three years ago, just a few months after we got married.  We saw it as an adventure.  And an adventure, it truly has been.

    scallions, garlic, ginger, eggs and rice on a wooden table

    There are challenges to this way of life.

    Even now, after all this time, there is still some part of every day during which I'm confused about something.  It could be a conversation with a taxi driver, an item at the grocery store, or an exchange at work.  I'll never totally feel on the inside of what is happening in this Thai life around me.

    Lunch in the Shade

    Living in Bangkok has its magical moments, to be sure.  Just when the city seems to be throwing you its worst, you wake up to a perfect blue sky, smell the incense wafting out of a temple, take a big gulp of a perfect broth from a batch of Tom Yam Goong soup.  Magic.

    Coffee Sunday

    The other night I was sitting in our quiet apartment, while rain fell against the windows and the lizards in our courtyard barked at each other (they really do sound like they're barking), and I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

    Spirit House

    In this moment, at this time, this is where I am meant to be.

    Frank and I are lucky.  We both felt that way at just the same time.  Earlier this year, when the opportunity presented itself for Frank to extend his contract and work in Bangkok for a bit longer, we questioned it.  We stayed up late into the night, weighing the pros and cons.

    But at the end of the day, it seems that it always comes down to a feeling.

    This week marks the end of our third year in Bangkok.  And we're staying for a while longer.  We miss home deeply, and some days it feels like too much, but most days we feel sublimely lucky.  Lucky to be living this life.  Lucky to be living this adventure together.

    We're in for a bit more of this expat living.  Bangkok, we're not leaving just yet.
    fried rice with fried eggs on white plates with chopsticks

    More Fried Rice Recipes

    • Honey Garlic Chicken Fried Rice
    • Pineapple Fried Rice
    • Fast and Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice
    • How to Make Thai Fried Rice
    • Bacon Fried Rice
    • Vegetable Fried Rice

    Favorite Tools

    • 6-inch Global Knife https://amzn.to/32YrJqg
    • Cutting Board
    • Skillet or Wok
    • Wok Spatula
    Print Recipe
    No ratings yet

    Ginger Fried Rice

    Fried rice has become a favorite quick meal in our house. With very few ingredients, this simple fried rice is full of flavor and makes a great lunch or dinner (or breakfast, if you're so inclined!).
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Vegetarian
    Cuisine: Asian
    Keyword: easy dinner, easy, weeknight-friendly, family friendly, fried rice, ginger
    Servings: 4
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $3.00

    Equipment

    • Wok or Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Peanut Oil
    • 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
    • 2 tablespoon Minced Ginger
    • Salt, to taste
    • 2 cups Thinly Sliced Leeks, white and light green parts only, rinsed and dried
    • 4 cups Day-Old Cooked Rice, preferably jasmine, at room temperature
    • 4 large Eggs
    • 2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
    • 4 teaspoon Soy Sauce

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet, heat ¼ cup oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp and brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels and salt lightly.
    • Reduce heat under skillet to medium-low and add 2 tablespoons oil and leeks. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender but not browned. Season lightly with salt.
    • Raise heat to medium and add rice. Cook, stirring well, until heated through. Season to taste with salt.
    • In a nonstick skillet, fry eggs in remaining oil, sunny-side-up, until edges are set but yolk is still runny.
    • Divide rice among four dishes. Top each with an egg and drizzle with ½ teaspoon sesame oil and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Sprinkle crisped garlic and ginger over everything and serve.

    Notes

    Recipe published in the New York Times.

    *This post contains affiliate links*

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Ann

      November 21, 2013 at 7:55 am

      I don't know if I'll try the ginger fried rice, but I love hearing about your expat life.

      Reply
    2. Ashley

      November 21, 2013 at 9:02 am

      I love reading your posts : ) I'm glad you both feel like you are exactly where you should be - that's such a good feeling. This fried rice sounds pretty awesome - I love that you get the garlic and ginger all crispy!

      Reply
    3. Claire @ Claire K Creations

      November 21, 2013 at 11:32 am

      Jess that's so funny. Last night I was lying in bed and suddenly you popped into my head. I realised I hadn't read a post for a while and set a reminder on my phone to check on you today.
      When I woke up this post was in my inbox and it sounds like you are doing wonderfully! x

      Reply
    4. Monica

      November 21, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      What a lovely post! I really enjoyed reading that. I'm always amazed when I watch shows like 'house hunter international' that people are brave and adventurous enough to move all across the world to a whole new everything. I'm glad you are enjoying it enough to stay a bit longer. And this fried rice! Seriously - that egg hooks me in but I know there's some serious flavor hidden in there. I put a ton of minced ginger and garlic in my fried rice and that's my favorite part. Take care!

      Reply
    5. Liz

      November 21, 2013 at 9:21 pm

      What a wonderful adventure, Jessie. I admire you both! Thanks for the nice recipe and wishing you continued happiness and success.

      Reply
    6. Debra

      November 22, 2013 at 8:32 am

      This does look like a great quick meal. Three tears, huh? I have enjoyed part of that time with you keeping up with your blog and writings. Thanks for taking us along on the adventure,

      Reply
    7. Erin @ The Emerging Foodie

      November 22, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Wow, I didn't realize you had been there so long... that's awesome! What an incredible adventure you're having and I'm sure it will be one of the most cherished times of your life! 🙂 Also this rice looks absolutely delectable! Can't go wrong with ginger!

      Reply
    8. Alyssa D. {Suitcases & Sweets}

      November 22, 2013 at 11:47 pm

      Happy 3-year Bangkok-iversary! Thank you for sharing your adventure and allowing me to be a part of it virtually and in-person. Can't wait to see what year 4 brings you and Frank! 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
    9. Lokness @ The Missing Lokness

      November 26, 2013 at 4:00 am

      Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Can't wait to hear more about it. The fried rice looks incredible. With the ginger, leek and garlic, I am sure I won't miss the meat. And nothing will go wrong with a fried egg.

      Reply
    10. Erika

      November 26, 2013 at 5:13 am

      Aww beautiful post! And gorgeous photos, as always. I want to hear more about your life in Bangkok! That sounds like such a fun adventure. My boyfriend is hoping to get a job as a Finance professor once he gets his PhD and we like to daydream about traveling the world with his theoretical ability to get a job anywhere. One can dream, right? Haha.

      Reply
    11. Karista

      November 27, 2013 at 4:09 am

      Oh this looks so delicious! My favorite kind of meal, and with an egg on top! Perfect. Happy Thanksgiving Jess!

      Reply
    12. Katie (The Muffin Myth)

      December 03, 2013 at 2:15 pm

      I know exactly what you mean, Jess! We're about to renew our residency permits for Sweden again which means we've been here for 4 years now (and also moved when we'd been married only a few months)! There are definitely challenges and homesick moments, but last night I was riding my bike home from work in the dark and cold, past the sparkly Christmas lights on the royal palace, and just felt so happy to be where I am. I'm sure Thailand has raised way more challenges for you, it being so different, but I think it's super cool you guys have decided to stick it out for a bit longer. Being an expat changes you, and I don't think you can ever really go back to the life you had before.

      Reply
    13. Sonja

      December 06, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Congrats on three years, and on deciding to stay more! I can understand the bittersweet feeling of staying in a place you love, but also missing loved ones at home 🙂 Also, this fried rice looks so good! It inspired me to make some with leftover wild rice.

      Reply
      • Jess

        December 09, 2013 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks so much Sonja. It realy is bittersweet, but knowing it's the right choice for us does make it a bit easier. I feel like it will fly by, and we'll be headed home before we know it though!

        Reply
    14. PolaM

      December 17, 2013 at 3:12 am

      Expat life can be hard: even in a country where you understand language and culture you never feel truly on the inside. But then you go home and is not really home anymore. It is a very enriching life, but bittersweet.

      Reply

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