Nasi goreng, which translates to “fried rice” in Indonesian, is one of the most beloved and widely recognized dishes in Indonesia. It’s a flavorful, savory meal typically made with leftover rice, a mix of vegetables, protein like chicken, shrimp, or egg, and a signature sweet soy sauce called kecap manis. Known for its deep umami flavor, smoky aroma, and irresistible caramelized finish, nasi goreng is both a comfort food and a national culinary symbol.
Unlike many other fried rice dishes, nasi goreng stands out for its unique seasoning. The use of kecap manis gives the rice a slightly sweet, molasses-like depth, which balances beautifully with garlic, shallots, chili, and sometimes shrimp paste or tamarind. This combination of spices and sauce coats the rice, creating a rich, bold flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
Nasi goreng is highly customizable. It can be made with whatever you have on hand, making it ideal for using up leftover rice and bits of vegetables or meat. A fried egg on top is a common and much-loved addition, with its runny yolk blending into the rice to add richness. Crispy shallots, sliced cucumber, and tomato are often served on the side for freshness and crunch.
In Indonesia, nasi goreng is more than just a meal — it’s a part of daily life. Eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s commonly found in street food stalls, family kitchens, and high-end restaurants alike. Each region and household has its own version, reflecting local tastes and ingredients.
Whether enjoyed on a busy weekday or as part of a festive spread, nasi goreng delivers bold flavor, comfort, and a taste of Indonesian culture in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice preferably cold, day-old rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 piece shallot finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon kecap manis Indonesian sweet soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce adjust to taste
- 1 egg egg beaten
- 50 grams chicken breast cooked and shredded
- 2 tablespoons spring onions sliced
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add minced garlic and chopped shallots to the skillet and sauté until fragrant.
- Push the garlic and shallots to the side, and pour the beaten egg into the skillet. Scramble until fully cooked.
- Add shredded chicken and cook for another 2 minutes, mixing with the eggs.
- Stir in the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula.
- Add kecap manis, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients and heat through.
- Garnish with sliced spring onions before serving.
Nutrition
Why do you put a egg in rice? Seems weird… But hey, my kids loved it, so I guess that’s what matters.
This is a fantastic recipe! I can’t believe how easy it was to make and absolutely delicious. Will definitely make again!
I used leftover takeout rice, and it turned out great! The flavors are just amazing. Also, I added shrimp for more protein.
Nasi Goreng? More like Nasi Gone! My rice ended up a mushy mess, don’t know what I did wrong.
OMG SO GOOD! I can’t believe I never tried making Nasi Goreng before. Thanks for sharing! 🎉
Tastes like my trip to Bali, but I used leftover sushi rice, haha! Still good tho.
I tried it but it was too spicy for my taste. Maybe cut down on the chili sauce next time.
This Nasi Goreng is incredible! I’ve never tasted something so flavorful! Totally bringing this to my potluck!
This was a delicious recipe! I had all the ingredients and it turned out perfect. So easy to follow!
That’s great to hear! I love how easy this recipe is. I’m definitely trying it this weekend!
Delicious!! I’m making it again for my friends this weekend!!
That’s awesome! Your friends are gonna love it! 😍
Are you sure it’s that good? I tried it once and it was kinda bland. 🤔
I tried making this for my family, but it didn’t taste right. Maybe I used too much soy sauce? Not sure I’ll try again.
It sounds like you might have overdone the soy sauce. Try using less next time! A little bit goes a long way. Don’t give up yet!
Soy sauce is strong, but maybe you just need to balance it with some other flavors. Did you use enough garlic? That’s important!
Eggs are supposed to be scrambled or not? I didn’t know 🤷♂️
This was the best Nasi Goreng I’ve ever made! So delicious! 😋
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. It’s just fried rice. My mom’s recipe is way better!
I gotta disagree! This Nasi Goreng has so much flavor with the kecap manis and spices. It’s way better than regular fried rice!
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I don’t get why people like this rice dish so much. It’s just fried rice, come on!
Whatever, it’s just fried rice. I’ve made better with leftover takeout.
I think you’re missing out! Nasi Goreng has so much flavor. It’s not just fried rice; it’s an experience!
I think this is overrated. It’s just fried rice, right? I don’t get the hype. Seems too simple.
Chicken breast worked, but it felt kinda dry compared to using leftover thigh meat. Would recommend shredding something fattier or adding a tiny bit of oil at the end.
OMG this was sooo good! I can’t believe I can make Nasi Goreng at home, it’s like magic in a skillet!
I tried it too, and wow! It’s so easy and delicious! Just like you said, magic in a skillet! 👍
Really? I don’t know about that… it seems like a lot of step for fried rice. Isn’t this just fancy fried rice?
Simple and quick! I like that. Will make it again!
Nasi Goreng is the best! This recipe is pretty good, but I feel like it needs some vegetables. Peas or carrots maybe?
Why add chili? My kids can’t handle spice! 😩
Rice too hard. Made a mistake somewhere I guess. 🙁
Turned out yummyyy! But I had to use leftover fried rice instead of day-old because that was all I had.
Pretty good, but mine came out a bit sweet—maybe my kecap manis was stronger than yours. Next time I’ll use a little less and balance with more chili sauce.
Tried this tonight—using day-old rice really does make a difference. The kecap manis + chili sauce combo is perfect, not too sweet. I also liked the egg scramble method.
The recipe was okay, but I think it needed more spices. Didn’t taste like the real Nasi Goreng.
But it’s authentic though, right? If you don’t like it, maybe try another recipe. 🤷♂️
I totally agree! A little more chili or soy sauce could really bring it to life! 🌶️
Ain’t it just like fried rice? No big deal. My aunt’s is way better.
Eh, it was okay. I’ve had better at restaurants. But thx for the recipe. 🙄
I followed the recipe but my rice was too dry… not sure if I did it right. Could someone help?
Tried this tonight and it actually tastes like the nasi goreng I get outside. Using day-old rice made a huge difference—no mushiness. I added a little extra pepper because I’m that person, and it was perfect.
Instructions are a bit confusing. What do I do with the egg? Scramble it together?
Recipe says 2 minutes after chicken—mine wasn’t mixed well and the rice clumped again. Maybe I should’ve used less sauce? But overall meh.
Yeah, rice clumping usually means it wasn’t broken up enough (or the pan was too cool). Try using truly cold, dry rice and break clumps with the spatula right when it hits the hot oil—also add the sauce gradually so it doesn’t steam the rice. “Meh” is fair though 😅
Not bad, but I think 2 minutes for the chicken is too short (mine was still slightly dry). Also I forgot to garnish and it still tasted okay, but like… not as “restaurant.”
Totally agree about the chicken time—2 minutes can be rough if it was a bit on the drier side. Next time I’ll give it closer to 3–4 minutes or add a tiny splash of kecap/chili to rehydrate. Also yeah, spring onions make it feel way more “restaurant.”
Nasi goreng is supa easy, but I added shrimp instead of chicken.
I love that you switched it up with shrimp! Sounds delicious!
But isn’t Nasi Goreng supposed to have chicken? Shrimp seems weird.
Yum! Next time, I’ll add shrimp too! 🇮🇩
That sounds delicious! Shrimp would be a great addition. 🍤✨
This dish is a family favorite! I love how easy it is to make.
Very simple and quick to prepare! My kids loved it 😍, thanks!
Why do you need day-old rice? Can’t you just use fresh? Seems silly to me.
So easy and quick! Made it for brunch and everyone loved it!
Not sure if I did it right. Mine tasted kinda bland, like cardboard. Will try again with more soy sauce.
I kinda expected more flavor. I added extra chili sauce but it didn’t help much.
I find it hard to believe you added enough chili sauce. It needs a good balance of flavors. Maybe try adding more spices next time?
I don’t know, it was okay but I thought it would be better. Maybe too much soy sauce?
I tried this without chicken for a vegetarian version, and it turned out great! Just add more veggies.
Pretty solid nasi goreng base. I added a little soy sauce for more saltiness and it turned out even better. Spring onions at the end was the right move.
Honestly, I don’t get why people say day-old rice matters that much. I used fresh rice and it still tasted okay? Maybe I’m just hungry 😅
Fresh rice can work, but day-old is usually drier so it fries instead of steaming. If yours tasted okay, maybe you just didn’t overcook it or it was already a bit dry 😄
Day-old rice… my neighbor always says must be 1 day old. I tried fresh once and it got kinda mushy, like porridge. So yeah it matters, lol.
I can’t cook, but my friend made this and it smelled amazing! I wanna learn now.
Ugh, rice is mushy. This recipe is not good. 1 star.
Not sure about your cooking skills? Rice should be fine if you use day-old. Just saying.
I actually think the recipe is great! Maybe try using less water next time? Mushy rice can be fixed! 😊
meh
Not bad, but I wish the instructions mentioned how long to sauté the rice. I ended up cooking it longer than the recipe and it was way better that way.
This recipe is spot on! Tastes just like the one I had in Bali. Yum!
Nasi Goreng? Sounds like a dance move. 😂 but I tried it and it was delish!
The ingredient list is good, but I’m not sure what “kecap manis” is—couldn’t find it so I used regular sweet soy sauce. Tasted different but still got the idea.
Good catch! Kecap manis is Indonesian sweet soy sauce (thicker, sweeter, kinda molasses-y). Regular sweet soy sauce should work, just adjust a bit since it won’t be as syrupy. Glad you still got the idea 👍
Hmm I actually used “ketchup + soy sauce” once and it was close but not really the same. If you can, look for kecap manis at Asian/Jam grocery stores—otherwise dark soy + a little brown sugar might mimic it. Your version sounds tasty though.
This was amazing! The flavors were spot on. Will definitely make again!
It was okay but seemed a bit bland to me. Maybe I should’ve added more chili sauce?
I’m so glad you liked it! Nasi Goreng really is a comfort food. Did you make any changes to the recipe?
I made it and the egg turned rubbery. Maybe the pan was too hot? Also I used “shallots” but I’m not sure mine were actually shallots… kinda onion-ish. I’ll try again though.
Why do people add so much rice? I think one cup is too much for one egg! 🤔
My garlic burned a little—so maybe medium heat is safer than medium-high. Still edible though. The flavor is there.
Nasi goreng?? Sounds fancy but I just made it with whatever was in the fridge and it turned out good!
I love that you made it your own! Nasi goreng is really about using what you have. Well done!
I liked it, but mine turned out a bit oily because I think my heat was too high. Next time I’ll lower the heat and let the rice dry out more.