Arroz Chaufa
Arroz Chaufa is a beloved Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion) classic, featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with savory pork, scrambled eggs, and aromatic ginger and scallions. This recipe offers a quick and flavorful taste of this iconic dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups Cooked rice(Day-old, cold cooked rice is essential for best results. It should be fluffy and not clumped.)
- 200 g Char siu pork(Cubed into bite-sized pieces (about 1 cm or 1/2 inch).)
- 3 Eggs(Large eggs.)
- 4 Green onions(White and light green parts thinly sliced for cooking, dark green parts thinly sliced for garnish.)
- 3 tbsp Soy sauce(Use a good quality Chinese or Peruvian soy sauce.)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(Fresh ginger, finely minced or grated.)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(Or other high-heat cooking oil.)
- 2 cloves Garlic(Minced (optional, but recommended for extra flavor).)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil(For finishing (optional).)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the eggs: Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt. Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them until just cooked through but still soft. Break into small pieces and set aside.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 2
Sauté aromatics and pork: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the hot wok or skillet over high heat. Once shimmering, add the minced ginger and optional garlic. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the cubed char siu pork and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 3
Add rice and stir-fry: Add the cold, cooked rice to the wok. Break up any clumps with your spatula. Stir-fry vigorously for 3-4 minutes, tossing the rice constantly to ensure it heats evenly and begins to slightly toast. The grains should be separated and slightly firm.
⏱️ 4 minutes - 4
Combine and season: Push the rice to one side of the wok. Add the sliced white and light green parts of the green onions to the empty side and stir-fry for 30 seconds until slightly softened. Then, add the cooked scrambled eggs back into the wok. Drizzle the soy sauce evenly over the rice. Toss everything together thoroughly for another 1-2 minutes until well combined and heated through. If using, stir in the sesame oil.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with the reserved dark green parts of the green onions. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using cold, day-old rice is crucial. Freshly cooked rice is too moist and will result in a mushy texture.
- ✓High heat is essential for achieving the characteristic 'wok hei' (breath of the wok) flavor and preventing the rice from steaming.
- ✓Ensure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as the stir-frying process is very fast.
- ✓Char siu (Chinese BBQ pork) provides a unique sweetness and texture, but you can substitute with other cooked pork or even chicken.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute char siu pork with cooked chicken breast or thigh, shrimp, or firm tofu.
- Add other vegetables like peas, diced carrots, or bell peppers along with the green onions in Step 4.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil.