Uncle Roger Fried Rice Recipe

I’ll be honest, my first attempt at homemade fried rice was pretty lackluster. This specific uncle roger fried rice recipe with golden salted egg yolk ribbons turns that from ‘just okay’ into ‘fuiyoh’ level deliciousness. It has a rich, creamy, umami flavor that coats every grain. It’s a high-protein, family-friendly meal that tastes like a restaurant special, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. We’ll follow the high-heat technique to ensure perfectly separated grains, then introduce a luxurious salted egg yolk sauce for an unforgettable twist on a classic.

Ingredients

• Cold, Day-Old Jasmine Rice: 500 g (3 cups) cold, day-old jasmine rice. Key for achieving separate grains and avoiding mushiness (wok hei technique). Best results come from rice cooked and refrigerated for at least 12 hours.
• Protein and Eggs: 200 g (7 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into 1 cm cubes; 4 large eggs. Dice the chicken uniformly for even cooking. Whisk the eggs lightly before adding to the wok.
• Aromatics and Fats: 30 ml (2 tbsp) neutral cooking oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 large shallot, finely chopped; 2 spring onions, green and white parts separated. Use neutral oil with a high smoke point (grapeseed, canola, vegetable) for high heat cooking. Mince garlic and shallot finely to release flavor quickly.
• Seasoning Sauces: 15 ml (1 tbsp) alcohol-free soy sauce; 15 ml (1 tbsp) oyster sauce (halal-compliant). The oyster sauce provides a deep, savory umami base. Alcohol-free soy sauce offers salty notes without overpowering the other flavors.
• Spices and Flavor Enhancers: 5 ml (1 tsp) MSG (optional, but highly recommended by Uncle Roger); 2.5 ml (½ tsp) white pepper. MSG is a powerful flavor amplifier that enhances savory notes. White pepper adds a subtle, earthy heat that complements the fried rice.
• For the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce: 4 salted duck egg yolks, steamed for 10 minutes; 30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter; 60 ml (¼ cup) full-fat milk or light cream; 2.5 ml (½ tsp) sugar; pinch of white pepper; small handful fresh curry leaves (optional). Salted duck egg yolks provide a rich, grainy texture and deep savory flavor, which is the defining feature of this uncle roger fried rice recipe. The butter and milk create a creamy, emulsified sauce base.
• Signature Garnish: Reserved Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce for drizzling; finely sliced green parts of spring onion. The drizzle adds a final visual and flavor highlight. Spring onions provide fresh color and aroma.

Instructions

Here are the steps to make this delicious uncle roger fried rice recipe. We’ll focus on the high heat technique to create a restaurant-quality, high-protein family dinner.

1. Prepare the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mashed salted duck egg yolks and gently mash them into the butter, stirring constantly until a thick paste forms. Gradually whisk in the milk or cream, sugar, and pinch of white pepper until smooth and creamy; add curry leaves if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Remove from heat, set aside, and keep warm.
2. Scramble the Eggs: Whisk the 4 eggs in a small bowl. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until smoking. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil. Pour in the eggs and scramble quickly until just set but still moist (soft scramble). Remove the eggs and set aside to avoid overcooking.
3. Cook the Chicken: Add another 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil to the hot wok. Add the diced chicken breast and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Push chicken to one side of the wok to create space for aromatics.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot to the empty side of the wok. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Combine with chicken after cooking.
5. Fry the Rice: Add the cold day-old jasmine rice to the wok. Break up any clumps with your spatula and stir-fry vigorously for 5-7 minutes. Press the rice against the wok to encourage separate grains and develop ‘wok hei’ (smoky aroma). This technique is essential for achieving the distinct ‘wok hei’ often praised in a classic uncle roger fried rice recipe. When I make this for my kids, I sometimes find myself running low on time, so I pre-chop the chicken and shallots during my Sunday meal prep. It makes this specific uncle roger fried rice recipe a super fast weeknight meal.
6. Season and Combine: Add the alcohol-free soy sauce, oyster sauce, MSG (if using), and white pepper to the rice. Toss vigorously to combine thoroughly, ensuring every grain is coated. Stir in the white parts of the sliced spring onions.
7. Add Eggs and Salted Egg Sauce: Return the scrambled eggs to the wok. Add about two-thirds of the prepared Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce to the fried rice. Toss quickly to coat the rice grains with the rich, golden sauce, creating visible ribbons and streaks throughout the dish. If the rice feels dry, add another tablespoon of oil to help coat the grains without becoming soggy.
8. Serve Immediately: Spoon the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Fried Rice onto a warm, dark-colored ceramic plate or bowl. Drizzle the remaining reserved Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce artistically over the mound of rice. Garnish generously with the finely sliced green parts of the spring onion for a pop of fresh color and aroma. The final result for this uncle roger fried rice recipe is a restaurant-quality dish that is surprisingly easy to make. This high-protein meal is a perfect example of how an easy uncle roger fried rice recipe can be elevated with a premium ingredient like salted egg yolk.

The Secret to Wok Hei: Tips for Perfect Fried Rice Technique

The key to authentic fried rice flavor—and achieving the perfect texture—is mastering a few simple techniques. The first is starting with cold, day-old rice. Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will steam in the pan, leading to a clumpy, soggy mess instead of separate grains. High heat is essential. Your wok or pan must be smoking hot before you add ingredients; this high temperature creates the ‘wok hei’ (smoky flavor) that elevates the dish. To keep that heat high, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook ingredients in small batches if needed. Finally, once you add the sauces, toss quickly to coat the rice without stewing it. Mastering the basics of this uncle roger fried rice recipe technique will also improve any fried rice dish you make.

About Salted Egg Yolk: Flavor Profile and Smart Swaps

Salted egg yolk provides a distinctly savory and rich flavor profile, different from regular eggs. It adds deep umami and a slight salinity. When used in a sauce, the texture should be slightly grainy and creamy, not perfectly smooth, which enhances the luxurious feel of the fried rice. If you’re struggling to find salted duck egg yolks, you have a couple of options. Many Asian supermarkets offer pre-made salted egg yolk paste for convenience. For a quick home substitute, you can grate hard-boiled regular egg yolks and mix them with a small pinch of salt to create a similar texture and salinity for this specific uncle roger fried rice recipe.

FAQs about This Fried Rice Recipe

Q: Why must the rice be cold and day-old?

This is critical for preventing clumping and mushiness during frying. Cold rice grains are firm and separate easily, allowing them to fry properly. This is the single most important technique for a truly great fried rice dish.

Q: Can I use fresh rice instead?

Not recommended. If necessary, spread hot rice thinly on a baking sheet to cool quickly and dry out before frying. This reduces moisture and improves results, though it’s still inferior to day-old rice. For a quick weeknight meal, you can also rinse fresh rice in cold water and then let it dry for 30 minutes before frying.

Q: What if I can’t find salted duck egg yolks?

Look in the refrigerated or frozen section of Asian supermarkets for whole yolks or paste. A reasonable alternative for home cooks is to grate hard-boiled regular egg yolks and mix them with a little extra salt. This provides a similar texture and salinity to this uncle roger fried rice recipe, although the deep umami flavor will be slightly milder.

Q: Can I add different proteins or vegetables?

Yes, this recipe is flexible for customization. For healthy eating and quick meals, you can add quick-cooking vegetables like peas, corn, or diced carrots during step 5. Cook proteins like shrimp or diced tofu separately first. The combination of ingredients for your uncle roger fried rice recipe is up to you.

Q: How do I prevent my fried rice from becoming soggy?

Ensure your pan is very hot, do not overcrowd it, use dry day-old rice, and add wet ingredients like soy sauce and oyster sauce last. I also add a tiny splash of oil when tossing in the sauces; this helps coat the grains and prevents them from absorbing too much liquid. This ensures a dry, fluffy result for your uncle roger fried rice recipe.

Q: What exactly is ‘wok hei’?

It’s the unique smoky, charred aroma achieved by cooking ingredients quickly over very high heat in a seasoned wok. This recipe aims to achieve a version of this flavor at home for a truly authentic uncle roger fried rice recipe experience. High heat and not overcrowding the pan are essential for this.

Conclusion

This specific uncle roger fried rice recipe elevates a simple weeknight meal into a rich, flavorful experience by using creamy salted egg yolks. The technique emphasizes high heat and dry rice, ensuring every grain is separate and perfectly coated for a quick, family-friendly meal. Don’t forget to save this recipe for your next family dinner by pinning it to your favorite board.

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