Nasi Goreng Recipe (Indonesian Fried Rice) – Easy, Flavorful & Ready in 20 Minutes
Nasi Goreng is Indonesia’s famous fried rice made with kecap manis, garlic, chili, shrimp paste, and leftover rice. It’s smoky, savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a quick comfort-food craving.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Nasi Goreng
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Authentic Indonesian flavor
- Great for leftover rice
- Customizable with chicken, shrimp, tofu, or veggies
🥘 Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice (day-old rice works best)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1–2 red chilies, sliced
- 1 tsp shrimp paste (optional but authentic)
- 1 cup chicken, shrimp, or tofu (optional)
- 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Spring onions for garnish
- Fried shallots (optional)
🍳 How to Make Nasi Goreng
Step 1 – Prepare the eggs
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok and scramble the eggs. Remove and set aside.
Step 2 – Stir-fry aromatics
In the same wok, add 1 tbsp oil. Sauté onion, garlic, chili, and shrimp paste until fragrant.
Step 3 – Add protein (optional)
Stir in chicken, shrimp, or tofu and cook until done.
Step 4 – Add rice
Add the cooked rice and break up any clumps.
Step 5 – Sauce and seasoning
Mix in kecap manis, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir-fry on high heat to get a smoky flavor.
Step 6 – Finish
Return scrambled eggs, mix well, and garnish with spring onions and fried shallots.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Top with a fried egg (telur mata sapi)
- Serve with cucumber slices and tomatoes
- Add shrimp crackers (krupuk) for crunch
- Pair with satay, fried chicken, or grilled prawns
- Serve with sambal for extra heat
❄️ Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days
- Reheat in a wok with 1 tsp oil for the best texture
- It can be frozen for up to 2 months
❓ FAQs About Nasi Goreng
1. What makes Nasi Goreng different from regular fried rice?
Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and shrimp paste give it a distinct smoky-sweet flavor.
2. Can I make it without shrimp paste?
Yes, skip it or use a little fish sauce as a substitute.
3. Can I use freshly cooked rice?
Day-old rice works best, but you can cool fresh rice in the fridge for 20 minutes before using.
4. Is Nasi Goreng spicy?
It can be spicy depending on the amount of chili. You can adjust the heat as needed.
5. What vegetables can I add?
Carrots, peas, green beans, bell peppers, and cabbage all work well.
🔗 Similar Recipes
- Thai Fried Rice Recipe
- Pad Kra Pao Recipe
- Chicken Katsu Recipe
- Yakisoba Recipe
- Bun Cha Recipe

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