If only we could take the Benihana experience at home!
But of course, we can’t, because it entails purchasing teppanyaki grills and having the butler service of a Hibachi chef 😀 I’m really gaga over Benihana’s chicken fried rice. I can’t even remember how many bowls I’ve consumed each time we dined in their restaurant.
One fine day, I did a search on possible recipes that would be close to their fried rice, and I was very happy to see so many! After a few tweaks, I am happy to share my Benihana fried rice recipe with you. This is as close as I remember the taste, and I have increased the quantity of the ingredients, in case you are feeding an army.
Master the Art of Benihana Fried Rice: A Delicious Recipe You Can Make at Home
Introduction:
Benihana is renowned for its teppanyaki-style dining experience, where skilled chefs dazzle guests with their impressive culinary skills. One dish that stands out and has become a fan favorite is their delectable fried rice. If you’re craving the taste of Benihana at home, we have the perfect recipe for you. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of recreating the famous Benihana fried rice in your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this mouthwatering dish!
Ingredients:
To make Benihana-style fried rice, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 cups of cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cooked shrimp, chicken, or beef (diced) for added protein
Instructions:
Prepare the rice:
- If you don’t have day-old rice, cook the rice according to the package instructions and spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry for about 1 hour.
- Day-old rice works best as it is slightly drier and less sticky, which is ideal for fried rice.
Heat the pan:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion, carrots, zucchini, and frozen peas to the pan.
- Stir-fry the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender.
Add the garlic and eggs:
- Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and create a space in the center.
- Add the minced garlic to the center and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Push the garlic to the side and pour the beaten eggs into the center.
- Scramble the eggs until they are fully cooked.
Combine the ingredients:
- Mix the cooked eggs with the vegetables and add the cooked rice to the pan.
- Stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
Season the fried rice:
- Drizzle the soy sauce evenly over the rice and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all the ingredients are well-coated.
- If you’re using cooked shrimp, chicken, or beef, this is the time to add it to the pan.
Final touches:
- Add the butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and coat the rice.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, giving the rice a final toss.
Serve and enjoy:
- Transfer the Benihana-style fried rice to a serving dish.
- You can garnish it with sliced green onions for an extra touch of freshness and color.
- Serve the fried rice hot as a standalone dish or as a side with your favorite Asian-inspired entrees.
Missing Benihana’s Chicken Fried Rice
We had a great time when I visited with loved ones a couple times. With amazing food, a great experience, and at least one location in each state, there’s no wonder that this well-known Japanese chain has a strong presence throughout the US.
It is Benihana’s ability to entertain diners that sets it apart from other teppanyaki-style restaurants in the United States. A Benihana chef will engage in humorous and silly chatter with diners, flip eggs off of spatulas, do clever knife tricks, and cook for the entire table while they are at it.
My Version Of Benihana’s Chicken Fried Rice
It is fairly easy to recreate Benihana’s fried rice at home. One very important thing to note is that we recommend to have rice cooked beforehand. Cold rice works better than freshly-cooked for fried rice recipes, but of course you can use freshly-cooked rice. Just allow it to cool down before using in this recipe. This dish also uses fresh green onions and carrots.
Like I said, it’s super delicious and easy to make at home, no tricks required, only lots of Benihana’s garlic butter, which I also made a recipe for! You can also substitute other protein for the chicken as you wish ☺ There will be a lot of tossing so you might need some handy spatulas or even a good wok. It’ll be fun cooking this fried rice!
What Is The Best Protein For Your Benihana Fried Rice?
For me, chicken is the best protein. But you can definitely substitute chicken for seafood, pork, or beef.
Can I Make This Benihana Fried Rice Gluten-free?
Yes, you absolutely can! Just substitute the following:
- Use coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce for the regular soy sauce
- Replace cooked rice with your favorite substitute, such as cauliflower rice
- You can also use avocado oil for the safflower oil as preferred
Some Recipe Notes
- This Benihana fried rice should be stored in the fridge for no more than three days, and the best way to do so is to leave it in a pan and cook it, so that it finishes cooking as quickly as possible. The idea is to store it in small containers to allow it to cool rapidly. The risk of contamination increases when cooked rice is left at the countertop for too long.
- Rinsing the rice before cooking is vital, as the final product will be gluey and starchy. It’s important to allow the rice to cook and rise overnight, after which it can hold its shape better. Soft, newly cooked rice doesn’t do well in frying, and can easily end up with a mushy texture.
- Once you start working on your fried rice, it doesn’t take long to cook. Feel free to cook the vegetables and chicken (or meat) separately, and then combine them later, as they may have longer cooking times than the rest of the ingredients.
- You can also replace white rice with brown rice, but brown rice generally takes longer to cook, and does not do really well in terms of absorbing flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Cooking Oil Does Benihana Use?
Benihana means “safflower”, which is the exact type of oil that the restaurant uses in its dishes.
How Do You Make Benihana’s?
Go ahead and make this fried rice recipe at home, or you can also prepare other meats or dishes using my take on Benihana’s garlic butter.
Do You Boil Rice Before Making Fried Rice?
Yes, you need to boil rice. I recommend preparing the rice a day ahead, it makes so much difference!
You can still, of course, use freshly-cooked rice. Just make sure it is cooled before using it in fried rice recipes.
How Much Is Benihana Fried Rice?
Benihana’s fried rice currently costs around $5 for one cup.
Conclusion
Try this recipe and I guarantee it could be a weekly thing for you and your family – or even more frequent than that! Which protein do you use for your fried rice? Do you add other seasonings in making your own? Let me hear your take on this recipe by leaving a comment below. Thank you once again for dropping by, until the next dish!
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