Want to make golden fried rice where every grain is coated in egg? The secret is actually quite simple.

▲ Delicious and visually appealing salmon and caper golden egg fried rice that you can make at home.

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

Each grain of rice is coated in golden egg, with distinct, separated grains and an aroma full of egg flavor—that’s what’s commonly known as golden fried rice. Want to make golden fried rice at home? It’s really not difficult at all. Chef Wei from Meow Salmon Cola says that every chef has their own slightly different way of making golden fried rice, but his little secret is to separate the egg whites and yolks first, then mix the yolks into the cooked white rice. When you fry this mixture, you’ll get golden fried rice where every grain is coated in a golden layer of egg.

Chef Wei from Meow Salmon Cola demonstrates how to make salmon and caper egg fried rice in this session—a family-friendly home-cooked dish. However, his method and seasoning are more Western-style. In addition to salmon and eggs, the ingredients Chef Wei prepared include chopped green onions, onion, corn, cilantro, and capers. Capers are rarely seen in market-bought fried rice. Chef Wei explained that cured smoked salmon is usually served with capers, and adding them to the fried rice enhances both its flavor and texture.


▲ The little secret to golden fried rice is mixing the egg yolks into the cooked white rice before frying.

Cooking steps: Chef Wei first pan-fries thin slices of salmon until they just turn white, then removes them from the pan. Next, he stir-fries chopped onion, green onions, egg whites, and corn in sequence over medium-low heat. Chef Wei said that since each ingredient has different characteristics, he prefers to add them one by one in order. For example, the onion goes in first, and by the time it’s done, it becomes soft with a hint of sweetness. While stir-frying the onion, Chef Wei takes the pre-separated egg yolks and mixes them into the cooked white rice. He says doing this even allows less-experienced cooks to achieve beautiful golden fried rice.

Once all the ingredients are fragrant, it’s time to add the mixed rice to the pan. Chef Wei reminds us that medium-low heat was used up to this point, but once the rice is added, you should increase the heat slightly (depending on personal preference and skill level). The rice coated in egg yolk gradually turns golden as it fries, releasing waves of eggy aroma. Then, add the capers and continue stir-frying.

Chef Wei says that once the rice grains are clearly separated, you can turn off the heat. Then add the previously pan-fried salmon to the pan, letting the residual heat slowly cook it through—this way, the salmon remains tender and juicy. Finally, garnish with some cilantro.


▲ Stir-fry the salmon until it turns white, then it’s done.


▲ Six ingredients.

Salmon and Caper Golden Fried Rice
Ingredients
1. 70g sushi-grade salmon slices
2. 1 egg
3. 200g cooked white rice
4. 20g capers (rinsed and squeezed dry)
5. 7g chopped green onions
6. 50g onion
7. 30g salad oil
8. 40g corn kernels
9. Salt to taste
10. White pepper to taste
11. Cilantro to taste (for garnish)

Method
1. Stir-fry the salmon slices until they turn white, then remove.
2. Use the rendered oil to stir-fry the onion until soft, then set aside.
3. Separate the egg yolks and whites and set them aside.
4. Mix the egg yolks into the cooked white rice and set aside.
5. Strain the tamarind water and set it aside
6. On medium-low heat, sauté the onion, scallions, and corn in sequence
7. In the empty space of the pan, sauté the egg whites until fragrant
8. Add the egg yolk rice, stir the rice apart, then mix in the tamarind
9. Add the seasonings: salt and pepper