Shrimp Fried Rice: Super Simple Fish Sauce Fried Rice Recipe
Restaurant-Quality at Home! Chef Eonam’s Super Simple Shrimp Fried Rice Method
Following the viral egg fried rice recipe from ‘Stars’ Top Recipe’, here is Chef Eonam’s ambitious shrimp fried rice recipe. The fantastic harmony of plump shrimp, savory eggs, and umami-rich fish sauce will awaken your appetite! Follow along right now.
Ingredients- 10 frozen shrimp (thawed)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (Canary fish sauce recommended)
- 2 bowls cooked rice
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Sesame oil, for finishing
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your frozen shrimp. Shrimp stored in the freezer can be naturally thawed by rinsing them under cool running water. For fried rice, larger shrimp are preferred, and I especially like to use shrimp with their tails on. They serve as a visual highlight for the dish, proclaiming, ‘Look, I’m shrimp!’
Step 2
Set aside two shrimp for garnish, and then chop the remaining shrimp by pressing down with the side of your knife. Chopping the shrimp this way allows their flavor to infuse better between the rice grains, making it even more delicious.
Step 3
Finely chop the green onions, using plenty of the green parts, and also mince the garlic. The fragrant green onions and the pungent garlic will enhance the flavor of your fried rice.
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of oil in a frying pan and add the minced garlic. Sauté over medium-low heat, being careful not to burn the garlic. Tilting the pan slightly so the garlic is submerged in oil will help it cook evenly. Cook until a mild garlic aroma is released.
Step 5
Once the garlic is golden brown, add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until they become translucent. The sweetness and aroma of the green onions will meld with the oil, creating a delicious fragrance.
Step 6
Now, add the chopped shrimp and stir-fry until fragrant. As the shrimp cook, a wonderful aroma will emerge. Add the whole shrimp you set aside for garnish and cook them as well. Once cooked, remove the whole shrimp separately to use for garnish later.
Step 7
Next, add the fish sauce to enhance the umami flavor of the fried rice. Using Canary fish sauce provides a deep umami taste without any fishy smell. (Canary fish sauce was used in the photo.)
Step 8
Add sugar for a touch of sweetness. I used unrefined sugar for a mild sweetness. (The original recipe called for 2 Tbsp each of sugar and fish sauce, but to avoid making it too salty or sweet, I used half the amount, 1 Tbsp each, following the spirit of the ‘Stars’ Top Recipe’ adaptation.)
Step 9
As the fish sauce stir-fries, its characteristic aroma will change. When the strong smell subsides and it melds well with the other ingredients, it’s a sign that it’s cooking nicely. If you use a good quality fish sauce, you’ll notice that only the rich flavor remains, without any unpleasant odor.
Step 10
Chef Eonam used unheated instant rice in the show, but I used warm rice from home. Make sure to use warm rice so that the grains don’t clump and can be stir-fried until fluffy.
Step 11
Now, add the rice and stir-fry with a spatula, ensuring each grain is coated with oil. Adjust the amount of rice according to the other ingredients; too much rice will make it difficult to stir-fry, so use a reasonable amount. (I used a slightly smaller amount of rice.)
Step 12
Push the fried rice to one side of the pan, add a little more oil to the empty space, and crack the eggs into it.
Step 13
As the bottom of the eggs starts to cook, quickly scramble them with chopsticks or a spatula. Avoid overcooking, as this can make them tough. Aim for a tender, fluffy texture.
Step 14
In a rice bowl, place a portion of the finished shrimp fried rice attractively. Top it with one of the cooked whole shrimp.
Step 15
Gently layer the fluffy scrambled eggs over the shrimp.
Step 16
Lightly press down on the fried rice in the bowl to shape it.
Step 17
Cover the opening of the rice bowl with a plate, and then carefully invert it. This will reveal the layers: shrimp, scrambled eggs, shrimp fried rice, and finally, a single shrimp on top, proudly announcing, ‘I am Chef Eonam’s Shrimp Fried Rice!’
