Malay Sambal Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Sambal)

If you are looking to try out something different other than the plain old veggie fried rice, this nasi goreng sambal is perfect for you! It is bold, savory and jam-packed with Asian flavors. You will definitely be hooked!

Although this sambal fried rice is only mildly spicy, I know that it might not be suitable for everyone. However, you can check out my tofu egg fried rice. It is free from spices, yet equally flavorsome and tasty!

💚Why you will love this recipe

• Quick and easy to make - All you need is a handful of pantry ingredients and 15 minutes to make this sambal fried rice. The perfect meal to make after a long tiring day of work.
• A crowd pleaser - This recipe will impress even the pickiest of eaters! It is delicious, flavorful and bold in flavor. Don't worry, this dish is only mildly spicy and you can even reduce amount of sambal used according to personal preference.
• Versatile - This nasi goreng sambal seriously goes well with almost anything! It is also great on its own.
• Freezable - Make a large batch and freeze portions of it so you will have something to grab and reheat during busy times or for days you don't feel like cooking.

🍚The best rice for frying

Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent your fried rice from turning mushy and clumpy:

• Use medium or long grain rice - Basmati, brown rice and Jasmine rice are some varieties that are perfect for frying as they fluff up perfectly without turning mushy.
• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking - This helps remove excess starch on the rice that cause them to clump together more. I usually rinse my rice at least 3 times, or until the water is no longer cloudy.
• Cooking rice - I highly recommend following the cooking instructions on the package, as water ratio and cooking time will differ from rice to rice. If it turn out to be mushy, chances are that you had added to much water. Take note of it and reduce the amount of water used next time.
• Drying them - Most fried rice recipe usually calls for day old rice, but freshy cooked rice will work too! The trick is to spread it out on a large plate right after cooking and place it under a fan. Let it cool completely before using.
• Breaking them up - If using refrigerated rice, remember to break clumps of rice using your hands before adding it into the pan.

🧅What you will need

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions

• Rice - I am using brown rice here, but any medium or long grain rice will work in this recipe. It is recommended to use day old rice. If using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a large plate and let it cool down completely before using.
• Sambal oelek - A paste that is made from ground red chilies. The next best substitute is sriracha.
• Oyster sauce - Use vegetarians ones to keep this dish vegan. If you do not have it on hand, feel free to use more soy sauce in place.
  • I am using Lee Kum Kee ones. Although it is labelled as '' stir-fry sauce'', it is essentially vegetarian oyster sauce, and contains mushroom extracts.
  • Feel free to substitute it with more soy sauce, but you might need less of it.
• Soy sauce - Can be substituted with tamari or shoyu. Use certified gluten-free ones if needed.
• Coconut sugar - Can be substituted with other granulated sugar like brown sugar or cane sugar.

How to make

Here is a quick rundown of the processes involved to make nasi goreng sambal. The full detailed instructions will be in the recipe card below.

In a bowl, combine together all seasonings and mix well.

Heat up a cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan and saute onion until translucent. Next, stir in garlic and saute until fragrant.

Add in carrot cubes and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until they have softened slightly. Then, add in cooked rice along with sauce.

Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until rice is warmed. Remove from heat and stir in chopped green onion, if using. It is now ready to be served.

🍢How to serve

As mentioned above, this Malay sambal fried rice is incredibly versatile and will pair well with anything. Below are some serving suggestions, but go ahead and serve it with anything that sounds good to you!

• Toppings and condiments - Sambal, pickled chilies, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, or vegan fried egg / normal fried egg, if not vegan.
• Asian side dishes - Sambal tempeh, tofu satay and curry tofu scramble will go wonderfully with this dish.
• Veggie soup - It is fairly common to serve rice and noodles dishes with clear broth soups here in Malaysia. You can cook some vegetable tofu soup, napa cabbage soup or this Chinese spinach soup.

❄Storing instructions

Fridge - Store leftover nasi goreng sambal in a sealed container before refrigerating to prevent it from drying out. It will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezer - Portion fried rice out into individual servings before freezing. That way, you will only be taking out what you need. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Reheating - If reheating from frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, or on the countertop for a few hours. Once sambal fried rice had completely thawed, heat it up on the stove until it is thoroughly warmed. You might need to add a splash of water if the mixture appears dry.

You can also reheat it in the microwave by first thawing it using the 'defrost' function, before proceeding with heating on high for a minute or so.

❔Commonly asked questions