Skip takeout with this Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice! Bring the hibachi experience home with buttery garlic flavor, crisp veggies, and tender rice.

Craving the bold flavors of fried rice? This Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice helps you recreate the Japanese restaurant favorite right at home! It’s loaded with fluffy rice, garlic butter, crisp vegetables and savory seasonings. And it’s the perfect side dish for chicken, steak, or shrimp. With this easy homemade version, you can enjoy the authentic taste of fried rice at home anytime. No reservation or takeout required!

If you haven’t been to Benihana (A popular Japanese chain restaurant), you might be wondering: What is Benihana Fried Rice? And what makes it so special? This iconic side dish is a fan favorite thanks to its rich, garlicky flavor, fluffy texture, and simple yet satisfying ingredients. Keep reading—I’ll break down the flavor profile in detail below!

While you’re here, check out these delicious pairings for this fried rice recipe: Skinny Orange Chicken, Copycat Panda Express Beijing Beef, and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken. Discover more authentic copycat recipes here.

EASY COPYCAT BENIHANA FRIED RICE

Unlike typical fried rice, this version shines with its garlic butter, which gives every bite a rich, savory, and buttery flavor that keeps people coming back for more. This homemade Benihana fried rice captures that authentic taste while keeping it simple enough for weeknight cooking. Cold, day-old rice keeps the texture light and fluffy, while a rich garlic butter infused with soy sauce and fresh garlic creates that signature hibachi taste. Crisp carrots, green and white onions add sweetness and crunch, and scrambled eggs bring the classic fried rice texture. Finished with soy sauce, white pepper, and just a hint of sugar, every bite is so savory, just like the Benihana favorite.

Find my expert tips on how to make Benihana fried rice taste even better than takeout below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Benihana Fried Rice:

Quick & Easy-To-Make: Simple steps and common ingredients make this a perfect weeknight skillet dinner.
Restaurant-Quality Flavor At Home: Enjoy the bold, buttery taste of hibachi fried rice without going out.
Fluffy, Perfectly Cooked Rice: Using cold, day-old rice keeps the grains light and separate.
Rich Garlic Butter: The secret ingredient to that authentic Benihana flavor! Made with salted butter, fresh garlic, and soy sauce. It’s savory, buttery, and unbelievably easy to make. You’ll never go back to regular fried rice after making this!

Ingredients

Rice

2 cups cold, day-old white rice (see instructions below)
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup chopped white onion
1 medium carrot, diced in 1/4 inch pieces
3 green onions, sliced thin
2 large eggs
2 Tablespoons garlic butter, recipe below
2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

Garlic Butter

1/2 cup salted butter, softened
3 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

*Note: Cook the white rice the night before and leave it in the fridge to chill and dry overnight for best results.

For The Garlic Butter

In a small bowl, add the softened butter, soy sauce and minced garlic. Stir to combine and then cover. Keep in the fridge to chill until ready to use.

For The Rice

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant. Add the chopped white onion, diced carrots, and green onion. Cook and stir for a few minutes until veggies are crisp-tender. Add the cold rice and continue cooking and stirring, about 2 minutes.

Push all the rice to one side of the skillet. Fry and scramble the eggs on the other side until they’re 90% done.

Mix into the rice. Season rice mixture with soy sauce, white pepper, sugar, and 2 to 3 Tablespoons of the garlic butter. Continue to mix and fry for 2 more minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

Servings

Serves 2.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Benihana Fried Rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

To reheat, place leftovers in skillet or Wok with a touch of oil, stirring frequently until heated through, or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between. Adding a small pat of garlic butter or a splash of soy sauce while reheating helps restore the rich, savory flavor and keeps the rice fluffy and delicious!

Holly’s Tips for the Best Copycat Benihana Fried Rice:

Plan Ahead: Avoid using freshly cooked rice for this recipe. For the best texture, use rice that’s cold and at least a half day old so it’s drier and less likely to turn soggy or mushy. Don’t skip this crucial step!
Garlic Butter Makes All The Difference: This is the secret to authentic-tasting Benihana Fried Rice, and it couldn’t be easier to create: garlic, butter, and low-sodium soy sauce are all you need. Store leftover garlic butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Add Chopped Vegetables: Slice them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking—this small step makes a big impact!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this Benihana Fried Rice recipe spicy?

No, this version is mild and savory. You can add a pinch of chili flakes or sriracha if you want to add heat.

Why do I have to use day-old rice instead of freshly cooked rice?

Using cold, day-old rice is the key to perfect fried rice. Freshly cooked rice is too moist and soft, which can make your fried rice soggy or clumpy. Chilling the rice overnight dries it out slightly, keeping the grains separate, light, and fluffy, emulating restaurant-style rice.

Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time?

Yes! Garlic butter is simple to make in advance and can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. It’s the key to achieving that authentic Benihana flavor.

Can I double this recipe?

Definitely! Just use a larger skillet or Wok and cook the ingredients in batches to ensure everything fries evenly.

How can I make this recipe keto-friendly and low-carb?

Replace the white rice with cauliflower rice. The garlic butter, soy sauce, and seasonings are naturally low-carb, and you can swap higher-carb vegetables like carrots for bell peppers or zucchini if desired. Adding extra eggs or protein makes the dish more filling while keeping it keto-friendly, delivering all the buttery, garlicky flavor of the original without the carbs.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce for both the garlic butter and the chicken marinade. All the other ingredients—rice, vegetables, chicken, eggs, and butter—are naturally gluten-free, so no further changes are needed.

Similar Recipes

Craving something similar? My Chicken Fried Rice contains all the classic flavors of teriyaki fried rice with hearty protein.

Wanting something sweeter? Hawaiian Fried Rice is packed with diced ham, red bell pepper, and pineapple for a tropical twist.

In the mood for noodles instead? Give my highly-rated Beef and Broccoli Ramen or Chow Mein a try. Both are packed with flavor and sure to satisfy!

Looking for another copycat Asian dish? This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice delivers the classic sweet and tangy flavors of Panda Express right at home.

Have you made this Copycat Benihana Fried Rice recipe? ❤️

Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #CopycatRecipes #BenihanaFriedRice #LifeInTheLofthouse

Easy Copycat Benihana Fried Rice

This buttery, garlic fried rice is loaded with crisp veggies and tender rice—better than takeout and so easy to make!

PRINT PIN RATE

Cook Time: 15

Servings: