What to Serve with Fried Rice - 32 Top Cheap & Easy Ideas!

Make the ultimate takeout night with these quick & super easy recipes that’s better than takeout! From irresistible appetizers all the way through indulgent desserts, here’s what to serve with fried rice for dinner tonight!

Photo collage of entrees and vegetable dishes to serve with fried rice.

Fried rice is an absolute staple in Asian cuisine. It’s cheap, quick, & deliciously filling – what’s not to love??

Every cuisine (& even family!) has their own version to serve it as a quick dinner side or breakfast from leftovers!

If you’re doing Asian Takeout at Home, you can easily make Char Siu Pork or Chicken Adobo, then repurpose any leftovers into Pork Fried Rice or Adobo Fried Rice.

Decided to eat out instead? Box up any leftover white rice for these quick Veggie Fried Rice or Egg Fried Rice recipes for breakfast the next day! If you’re feeling fancy, you could wrap the fried rice in fluffy eggs for Adobo Fried Rice Omelet or Japanese Omurice!

🥘 Looking for a quick answer?

The best dishes to serve with fried rice are orange chicken, char siu pork, hot & sour soup, wonton soup, egg drop soup, steamed fish, sweet & sour pork, Beijing beef, beef & broccoli, honey walnut shrimp, ginger beef, sweet & sour chicken, chicken teriyaki, sesame chicken, or eggplant tofu as the main course.

If you have the extra time, some of the best side dishes & appetizers are green green beans, bok choy with oyster sauce, egg rolls, spring rolls, & dumplings!

The best part about fried rice is that it’s SO versatile. Whether you’re creating a full spread or quick meal with a fried egg, you really can’t go wrong.

👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips for Homemade Fried Rice

Day-Old Cold Rice is Best: For that flakey Chinese restaurant-style fried rice, long grain rice is best, especially cold leftover rice. This is because it’s drier than fresh rice & rehydrates by absorbing the sauce seasonings for super flavorful fried rice!
Repurpose Leftovers: In case you need it, this is your sign to use up any leftover protein or veggies hanging out in the back of the fridge! Fried rice gives you a chance to transform leftovers into a whole new meal!
Cook Fast & Furious: When making fried rice, remember to cook on a large wok/pan on high heat for best results so your ingredients properly stir-fry. If the temperature is too low or the pan is overcrowded, your fried rice could end up soggy from steaming, instead of toasting on high heat!

🥡 How to Store

If you happen to have leftover fried rice, store it in an airtight container & keep in the fridge for up to 3 o 4 days.

You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months for super quick meals on lazy days.

🥟 Appetizers & Soups

1. Vietnamese Shrimp Salad Rolls with Peanut Sauce

These fresh spring rolls are crunchy, light, and fun to put together! They're perfect for summertime since it's so light and easy to eat on the go!

Shrimp Spring Rolls

Picking up Vietnamese shrimp summer roll.

2. Chinese Dumplings

Make a comforting bowl of juicy Chicken Dumplings with a few simple tips and tricks! It's a labor of love but SO worth it – especially because it's freezer friendly too!

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Dumplings in a bambook steamer with green onions sprinkled on top.

3. Vegan Egg Rolls

These crispy Vegan Egg Rolls are stuffed with tender veggies. These deep-fried rolls are cooked until beautifully golden & crunchy! Dive into them immediately or freeze some to enjoy later as an easy snack or appetizer.

Vegan Egg Rolls

Fried egg rolls on a white oval plate with wooden chopsticks & chili dipping sauce.

4. Shrimp Chips Recipe

Make hot fresh shrimp chips to create the ultimate takeout experience at home! In less than 5 minutes, you'll be snacking on these crispy Shrimp Chips by the handful.

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Wooden bowl with shrimp chips piled inside on top of a white table.

5. Crispy Air Fryer Tempeh

Get ready to take your tempeh game to the next level with this easy, satisfying, and flavorful air fryer tempeh recipe! This flavorful appetizer easily satisfies vegetarians without spending hours in the kitchen.

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Crispy seasoned tempeh on a bed of lettuce on a wooden cutting board.

6. Hot & Sour Soup Recipe

Make restaurant-quality Hot & Sour Soup right at home! This popular dish is surprisingly easy to cook up for a warm & comforting meal to eat with fried rice.

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Two bowls of hot and sour soup on a white table with spoons.

7. Wonton Soup Recipe

Whip up a bowl full of comfort with the wonton soup recipe! Juicy shrimp wontons are the star of this soup with fresh crisp bok choy and soothing broth. Is there anything cozier??

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White bowl with wonton soup and bok choy.

🍗 Chicken

8. Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Make the most mouthwatering easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe with only 5 ingredients – and in under 30 minutes! This irresistible restaurant favorite creates a delicious sweet & savory teriyaki sauce that'll make you kiss the bottled version goodbye!

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Silver spoon drizzling teriyaki sauce on rice plate of chicken and broccoli.

9. Sesame Chicken

This Sesame Chicken has crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This version is even better than what you would get at an Asian restaurant!

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Crispy Sesame Chicken in a skillet with toasted sesame seeds & green onions.

10. Char Siu Chicken

Kiss boring baked chicken goodbyeeee! This easy Char Siu Chicken transforms mundane dinners into exciting meals that are deliciously sticky, glossy, & juicy! THIS is the ultra flavorful bbq chicken you never knew you needed.

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White bowl of rice with char siu chicken slices and bok choy on a white table.

11. Orange Chicken

Crispy on the inside, juicy on the outside – this popular takeout dish is impossible to resist! Enjoy this crispy Orange Chicken is a popular pairing to eat with fried rice – and it's done in 15 minutes!

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Wooden chopsticks picking up orange chicken topped with green onions.

12. Sweet & Sour Chicken

Sink your teeth into perfectly crispy chicken in a glossy sweet & sour sauce that begs to be devoured with steamy rice! Spoon over the fresh veggies & juicy pineapple for a sweet & tangy meal that disappears faster than its made.

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A black bowl on a white table with sesame chicken and wooden chopsticks.

🥩 Beef & Pork

13. Char Siu Pork

Serve the juiciest Char Sui Pork with the easiest marinade that does all the hard work for super tender and flavorful pork! Glossy & caramelized on the outside, juicy & tender on the inside – it's the simple dish that impresses at gatherings & has the family always wishing you made more!

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Sliced char siu pork on a wooden cutting board with a bowl of bok choy in the back.

14. BEST Beef & Broccoli Recipe

Make this better-than-takeout Beef & Brocolli recipe at home! It's SUPER tender, juicy, and easy to put together. Get a fluffly bowl of rice ready, it's almost time to eat!

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A white plate of beef and broccoli with white rice sprinkled with sesame seeds.

15. Ginger Beef

This easy Sticky Ginger Beef recipe comes together in just 10 minutes! This simple recipe uses ground beef for a budget-friendly version that's tossed in a sweet & savory sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners!

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Ginger beef topped with green onions in a blue bowl with rice.

16. Pepper Steak Recipe

Shake up weeknight dinners with this easy Pepper Steak Recipe filled with tender flank steak, colorful bell peppers, and a sweet, savory sauce. It's an effortless dinner in just 30 minutes!

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Pepper beef in a skillet with bell peppers and a black spatula.

17. Mongolian Beef

This easy Mongolian Beef recipe is better than take-out and can be made in just 30 minutes! Tender beef and fresh green onions in an amazing garlic and ginger asian sauce, served over hot cooked rice

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A white plate of mongolian beef with rice and green onions.

18. Beijing Beef Recipe

Step away from the food delivery app because tonight we’re not settling for soggy limp takeout! This easy Beijing Beef is sweet, tangy, and stays crispy for HOURS! You could even freeze the beef for your next craving – your future self is already thanking you!

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Wok of beijing beef with sesame seeds and wooden spatula.

🍤Seafood

19. Salmon Teriyaki Recipe

Create one of the most popular Japanese dishes easily from home! It's only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes away from an insanely delicious dinner!

Salmon Teriyaki Recipe

Closeup of pan-fried salmon in teriyaki glaze in a veggie bowl.

20. Crispy Szechuan Shrimp Recipe

Big, bold, and addictive flavors from garlic, chili, and Szechuan peppercorns, all wrapped around crispy juicy shrimp.

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A plate of crispy szechuan shrimp topped with chilies, green onions, & lime wedges on side.

21. Chinese Steamed Fish

This is the EASIEST fish recipe you'll EVER make! Steamed fish may sound boring but this recipe proves that theory wrong! It's boldly flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Even non-believers will be asking for seconds!

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A white plate of steamed fish topped with green onions & dried chilies.

22. Hibachi Salmon

This easy to make Hibachi Salmon Recipe is the perfect protein to serve with your favorite fried rice dish! The salmon is seared until beautifully golden, then finished in a savory butter sauce – and we all know butter makes EVERYTHING better.

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23. Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Make the BEST honey walnut shrimp right at home! This Chinese restaurants favorite is incredibly simple with juicy EXTRA crispy shrimp, a sweet and creamy sauce, and the most irresistible candied walnuts you'll want to make in large batches!

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Wooden chopstick picking up honey walnut shrimp from a white plate.

🥬Vegetables

24. Stir Fry Eggplant Tofu

Satisfy vegetarians & meat-lovers with this easy Eggplant Tofu Stir-Fry! This easy veggie-packed stir fried recipe is what to cook to convert non-tofu believers.

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White bowl of eggplant tofu topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

25. Green Bean Stir-Fry

The simple 15-minute green bean recipe is super flavorful and crunchy. The perfect veggie side dish to fried rice or any of your favorite Asian dishes!

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Sauteed green beans on a white plate on a white table.

26. Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce

Throw together a restaurant-quality side dish with 7 ingredients in under 15 minutes – without breaking a sweat! This Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce is the perfect low-effort side dish for last-minute weeknight dinners or family gatherings!

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White plate of bok choy with oyster sauce drizzled on top.

27. Miso Brussel Sprout Salad

Crisp brussels sprouts meet the savory depth of miso, creating a satisfying salad that's as healthy as it is tasty. This salad strikes the perfect balance between health-conscious dining and culinary indulgence, making it a versatile choice for your table

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28. Easy Chinese Egg Tomato Stir Fry Recipe

Make the ultimate comforting breakfast in just 10 minutes with only 6 ingredients! This Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry recipe transforms simple pantry staples into lusciously fluffy eggs with juicy tender tomatoes for a cheap and effortless protein-filled meal that always disappears faster than it's made!

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White bowl and silver spoon with rice and tomato egg stir-fry topped with green onions.

29. Miso Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)

This umami-filled Miso Gai Lan comes together in just 15 minutes! It's an easy & versatile side dish that goes with just about anything when you're craving more veggies.

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Chinese broccoli on a white plate on a wood table.

🍮 Desserts

30. Red Bean Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)

Nothing says “I got my life together” like an impressive dessert everyone devours at the family dinner party (yep, even that hard-to-please auntie)! Here are the key tips to making irresistible Red Bean Sesame Balls that are satisfyingly crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and undoubtedly made to impress. Master this dessert and you’re as golden as this sweet treat no one can resist!

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Blue plate of sesame balls on a woven beaded placemat.

31. Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie – Sinh To Bo

Transform ripe or leftover avocados into the ultimate creamy and frosty Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie for hot girl summer. This Sinh To Bo is irresistibly thick, buttery, and the drink on repeat all summer!

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Two glasses of avocado smoothie with gold wide straws on a wooden plate in the kitchen.

32. 📋 Mango Sago | Mango Tapioca Pudding

Enjoy a spoonful of sunshine and happiness with this easy Mango Sago that comes together in under 30 minutes! You don't need to be a pro in the kitchen to put together a dessert you know everyone will love! This delicious Mango Tapioca Pudding is layered with fresh mango puree, chewy tapioca in a creamy coconut sauce, and topped with more juicy mango chunks. It's an irresistible dessert so good, your friends & family asking for your recipe!

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Glass cups of mango sago topped with mango and coconut on a white table.

💭 FAQS

What type of rice is used for fried rice?

Long-grain rice, such as Jasmine rice, is a popular choice for fried rice. Leftover cold rice is even better for that flavorful flakey restaurant-style fried rice! This is because cold rice is drier & rehydrates by absorbing all of the seasoning sauce for an even more flavorful dish.

What can I use instead of soy sauce?

Instead of soy sauce in your fried rice, you can swap it out with tamari, fish sauce, or oyster sauce. All of which add saltiness and umami!

And don’t forget a drizzle of sesame oil for a deep nutty flavor that gives that signature fried rice flavor. You can finish with sesame seeds for a little extra flavor & crunch too!

Is fried rice healthy?

Like with anything, especially if you have health restrictions, enjoy with moderation. If you’d like to have a low carb option, you can swap out regular rice with quinoa or cauliflower.

Can you freeze fried rice?

Yes! Fried rice is freezer friendly for a super quick & easy meal for days you’re tight on time.

Once the fried rice is cooked, let it cool down completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. You could even divide them into single serving portions for quick meals!