This copycat Benihana fried rice recipe captures the garlicky flavor and savory goodness of Japanese fried rice made fresh on the hibachi grill. With simple ingredients and a few helpful tips, you can recreate this restaurant-style rice recipe right in your own kitchen.
If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming about the flavorful fried rice from one of your favorite restaurants, you’re not alone!
Whether you’re making this for the first time or a seasoned hibachi home chef, this is one cooking process that’s fun, fast, and totally satisfying.
Why This Fried Rice Recipe Works
- Uses day-old rice for perfect texture
- Packed with flavor from Benihana garlic butter
- Customizable with chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or leftover chicken
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- A great way to use up leftover rice
Copycat Benihana Fried Rice: Quick & Easy at Home
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Ingredients
For the Fried Rice:
- 3 Cups Cold Day-old White Rice preferably jasmine rice or short-grain rice
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil avocado oil, or safflower oil (high smoke point oils work best)
- 2 Large Eggs scrambled
- 1/2 Cup Green Onions chopped
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Breast cooked and cut into small pieces (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Teaspoon White Pepper or black pepper, if preferred
- Pinch Salt to taste
- 1 Teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds toasted
- Splash of water if needed for moisture
For the Garlic Butter
- 1/4 Cup Butter softened
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic minced
- Optional: 1 teaspoon soy sauce or 1/4 teaspoon white pepper for added depth
Instructions
- Prep Ahead. Make sure your day-old rice is chilled and not clumpy. If you’re starting with fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet and let it cool to room temperature, or refrigerate for a few hours.3 Cups Cold Day-old White Rice
- If using chicken breast, chop into small pieces and cook separately in a hot pan with a little olive oil or avocado oil. Set aside.2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil, 1/2 Cup Chicken Breast
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt.2 Large Eggs, Pinch Salt
- Make the Garlic Butter. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter and minced fresh garlic. This Benihana garlic butter is the secret ingredient that adds rich, garlicky flavor to the rice.1 Teaspoon Sesame Oil, 1/4 Cup Butter, 1 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic, Optional: 1 teaspoon soy sauce or 1/4 teaspoon white pepper for added depth
- Cook the Eggs. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or hot frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Pour in the raw egg mixture and scramble for 1-2 minutes until just cooked.
- Push the cooked eggs to the side of the pan.
- Add the Rice
- Add the remaining oil to the pan. Add in your cold rice and cook rice for 5-7 minutes, breaking up clumps and allowing it to lightly crisp in spots. Stir frequently for even cooking.
- Flavor the Fried Rice. Stir in the light soy sauce, a dollop of garlic butter, and a splash of water if the rice seems too dry.1 Tablespoon Light Soy Sauce, Splash of water
- Add the chicken breast, green onions, and white pepper. Toss to combine everything.1/2 Cup Green Onions, 1/2 Teaspoon White Pepper
- Finish and Garnish. Drizzle with sesame oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds just before serving.1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt or black pepper, if needed.
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Tips for the Best Copycat Benihana Fried Rice
- Use day-old rice. Fresh rice has too much moisture and will turn mushy.
- Use a large wok, large pan or skillet. A hot skillet gives you that slight crisp on the rice.
- Customize. Add leftover chicken, cooked shrimp, or even veggies like peas and carrots.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Use a large frying pan so the rice fries, not steams.
- Use quality ingredients. Like real sesame oil and fresh garlic for that authentic flavor.
Storage Tips
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, warm it in a hot pan with a bit of oil or a splash of water to revive the texture.
Recipe Variations
While this copycat Benihana fried rice keeps things authentic, it’s easy to tweak based on your taste or what you have in your kitchen.
- Add carrots or peas. While not part of the original Benihana fried rice, finely diced carrots and peas are common in many regular fried rice recipes. Add them during the final few minutes of cooking.
- Use leftover proteins. Try leftover chicken, cooked shrimp, or even bits of steak or ham for a quick and hearty meal.
- Make it vegetarian. Skip the meat and load up on stir-fried veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Try different oils. Swap vegetable oil with olive oil, avocado oil, or safflower oil. Just be sure it has a high smoke point.
- Spice it up. Add a pinch of chili flakes, a drizzle of sriracha, or a dash of black pepper for heat.
- Switch up the rice. Use short-grain rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice if you’re going low-carb.
No matter how you customize it, this rice recipe is a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be adapted in countless ways.
We make extra rice just for this fried rice recipe.
Now that you know how easy it is to make this Benihana fried rice copycat recipe, you can bring the magic of the hibachi grill into your own home. No chef hat required. With cold rice, a hot skillet, and a little garlic butter, you’ll be dishing up restaurant-style flavor in no time.
Enjoy it as a full meal or serve it alongside your favorite Benihana chicken, steak, or shrimp. Either way, this rice will have everyone coming back for seconds.
My family loved this!
Quick and easy recipe and the garlic butter addition…