Whole food · Restaurant Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic Chinese restaurant staple: fluffy, wok-fried rice grains tossed with eggs, scallions, and savory seasonings, creating a dish that's both comforting and subtly aromatic. The texture is typically light and slightly chewy, with each grain distinct rather than clumpy, offering a satisfying mouthfeel that pairs well with a variety of sauces. Nutritionally, it's a carb-dominant side dish with a modest protein boost from eggs, making it a quick energy source without being overly heavy.
People love it for its satisfying, savory flavor and the way it soaks up sauces like soy or oyster, making it a perfect companion to stir-fries or curries. Its cultural significance as a comfort food in Chinese cuisine, often served at family gatherings or as a quick meal, adds to its appeal.
The high carbohydrate content can lead to blood-sugar spikes, especially for those with insulin resistance or diabetes, and it's often high in sodium from soy sauce and seasonings. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein like grilled chicken or tofu, add fiber-rich vegetables like broccoli or peas, and practice portion control by limiting servings to about one cup.
Fried rice is believed to have originated during the Sui Dynasty (589–618 AD) as a way to use leftover rice and avoid waste, making it one of the earliest examples of 'upcycled' cuisine in history.
| Water | 59.1 g |
| Energy | 174 kcal |
| Energy | 728 kj |
| Protein | 4.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.0 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 32.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.56 g |
| Sucrose | 0.37 g |
| Glucose | 0.13 g |
| Fructose | 0.05 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 30.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 12.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.66 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 51.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 76.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 387 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.72 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.43 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.64 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 6.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 6.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 5.5 mg |
| Betaine | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 22.0 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 128 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 38.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 279 iu |
| Lycopene | 3.0 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 103 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.13 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.03 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 1.3 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.28 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.31 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.16 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.8 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.54 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.39 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.65 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.63 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 0.62 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.99 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.98 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.11 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.01 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 18.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.17 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.17 g |
| Leucine | 0.34 g |
| Lysine | 0.17 g |
| Methionine | 0.11 g |
| Cystine | 0.08 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.23 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.15 g |
| Valine | 0.25 g |
| Arginine | 0.34 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.24 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.41 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.18 g |
| Proline | 0.19 g |
| Serine | 0.21 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Is fried rice without meat healthy?
It can be part of a balanced diet, but it's high in carbs and often sodium. Pair it with protein and vegetables to make it more nutritious.
Can I make fried rice healthier at home?
Yes, use less oil, add plenty of vegetables, and choose low-sodium soy sauce. You can also use brown rice for more fiber.
Why is restaurant fried rice different from homemade?
Restaurants often use high heat, more oil, and day-old rice for better texture, which can make it richer and more flavorful but also higher in calories.
Is fried rice gluten-free?
Traditional fried rice uses soy sauce, which contains gluten. Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce to make it safe for those with gluten intolerance.