Yangzhou Fried Rice with Prawns and Egg
Fluffy fried rice with prawns, ham, peas and soft scrambled egg, a proper takeaway special at home.
Made with All purpose stir fry sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Cook the rice ahead and spread it on a tray to cool fast, then chill for at least 1 hour. Cold, dry rice fries without turning mushy.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok over a high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble for 30 seconds until just set, then tip them onto a plate.
0 min 30 s - 3
Add the remaining oil and the prawns. Fry for 2 minutes until pink all over.
2 min - 4
Add the ham, peas and cold rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the rice is piping hot.
3 min 30 s - 5
Pour in 80 ml of your ready made all purpose stir fry sauce (see the base recipe) and toss for 1 minute.
1 min - 6
Fold the eggs back in with the spring onions and serve immediately.
Tips
- Day old rice is best. Warm fresh rice releases steam and turns gluey.
- Keep the heat high and the wok moving. Overloading the pan makes the rice steam.
- Swap the ham for cooked chicken or a handful of diced mushrooms if you prefer.
Storing and freezing
Chill leftovers within 1 hour of cooking. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 day and reheat only once until steaming hot all the way through, because rice can carry bacteria that survive cooking.
Questions
Why does fried rice need cold rice?
Cooked rice that has been chilled dries out and the grains separate, so they fry rather than clump. Fresh rice is too wet.
Is it safe to reheat fried rice?
Only if the rice was cooled quickly and kept in the fridge. Eat within 1 day and reheat once until steaming hot all the way through.
Can I leave out the ham?
Yes. Use extra prawns, cooked chicken or tofu instead. The recipe is not dependent on ham.
More made with all purpose stir fry sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.