Bacon and Shiso Fried Rice
The egg is seasoned with pepper, a little salt and sesame oil.
Very large shiso leaves.
We washed and dried the shiso here, but we also had great success cleaning it with a dry paper towel.
Tiny lardons -- mmm!
We tried this recipe with long grain and short grain rice, and preferred it with short grain. Try arborio or sushi rice for a nice twist.
Once the rice is added, things move quickly.
The bacon is added, then the egg.
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A&M say: This dish is really bacon-and-eggs meets rice-and-shiso. Once they all mingle in a piping hot wok, you get crisp bits of bacon and rice, the egg pulls the ingredients together and the shiso tops it all off, singing with a licorice-mint fragrance. This may become our new home-alone meal. The dish serves just one, maybe two as a side. We preferred a plump, short-grain rice, like Arborio or sushi, to a long-grain rice. And HumbleBean's tip to use 2-day-old chilled rice is a good one. If your shiso leaves are large -- ours were the size of our palms -- use half the amount called for; and if you can't find shiso, substitute a combination of mint and basil. - A&M
HumbleBean says: I love the distinctive taste of shiso and got excited at the idea of pairing the flavor with bacon. The original recipe (which comes from an old Japanese cooking magazine) uses short-grain white rice. I prefer brown rice because it gives a nice hearty chew. Remember to use rice that’s been cooked and refrigerated for a day or more. Fresh rice will be too sticky and make it hard to incorporate the ingredients. For me, 2 days in the fridge is optimal because the rice has the right firmness. - HumbleBean
Serves 2
- 1 large egg
- pinches salt
- pinches ground pepper
- dashes sesame oil
- 2 slices bacon, sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 onion, chopped
- 8 ounces cooked rice, refrigerated for 2 days
- 1 teaspoon sake
- 3/4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 10 shiso leaves, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced thinly
- Crack the egg in a small bowl and add the salt, pepper, and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat a wok or large pan over medium heat and add bacon. Fry until almost crispy and let cool on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Clean the wok with a paper towel, heat the oil over medium heat, and coat the bottom and sides well. Turn down the heat to low and add the ginger and onion and cook until fragrant. Increase the heat to high and add the rice, breaking up clumps with the back of a wooden spoon and continue stirring until everything is incorporated. Add the bacon and toss to mix. Make a well at the center and pour the egg and scramble. Toss to combine.
- Add the sake and shoyu, then salt and pepper to taste. Mix until combined. Turn off the heat, mix in the shiso leaves and serve.
- Your Best Savory Rice Dish Contest Finalist!





about 1 year ago Konezumi
Many steak houses in Japan serve garlic fried rice with shiso/bacon at the end of the course. The same recipe; however, stir fry garlic first (be careful not to burn it) with bacon before putting rice! Try!
about 1 year ago Konezumi
Many steak houses in Japan serve garlic fried rice with shiso/bacon at the end of the course. The same recipe; however, stir fry garlic first (be careful not to burn it) with bacon before putting rice! Try!
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Made this last night. . . added a carrot, finely diced, for a bit of color. Served with baby bok choy quickly sauteed with ginger and garlic. Delightful, practically effortless dinner. Fantastic recipe!!! ;o)
about 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
This sounds delicious!!!! I love fried rice. Will look for shiso leaves next time I'm at the Asian market.
about 3 years ago zengo
Hot daymn! Sounds like my soul in food form. My SoulFood perhaps? Asian roots + Bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon, and all fried in a pan with.... BAAAAacon!! I love the inclusion of ginger and sesame oil. Two of my favorite flavors. Thanks :)
about 3 years ago humblebean ichiban fan!
Love this recipe!!! Love all your recipes!!! Next I want to vote on your Miso Eggplant with Beef dish!!!! http://www.humblebeanblog... mmmmmmmm!!!!!!!
about 3 years ago HumbleBean
Glad you love it! Thank you, my ichiban fan! :)
about 3 years ago HumbleBean
I noticed there are differences in shiso leaves. I used the Japanese variety, which is smaller in size and delicate. The Korean variety is large and a little tougher. I've only had the Korean type marinated. Does anyone know if the flavor is similar when unseasoned?
about 3 years ago luvcookbooks
sounds delicious, easy and different, thanks!
about 3 years ago WinnieAb
I grew shiso in my garden this summer...I absolutely love it.
I preserved some of the leaves in salt so I can totally make this...sounds great!
about 3 years ago HumbleBean
I'm so jealous of your homegrown shiso! Now I'm curious about your preserved leaves and how you eat them. Simply with rice, perhaps? I also love shiso when it's tempura-fried. It takes on a different flavor, more muted, and very light.
about 3 years ago lastnightsdinner
I LOVE shiso, and I'm intrigued by the idea of pairing it with bacon - will definitely try this dish.