Chahan (dish) facts for kids
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| Alternative names | チャーハン/炒飯 |
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| Associated national cuisine | Japan |
| Created by | Chinese immigrants |
| Invented | 1860s |
| Main ingredients | Fried rice |
Chahan (pronounced "cha-han"), also called Yakimeshi, is a popular Japanese fried rice dish. It uses rice as its main ingredient. Many other tasty ingredients and seasonings are added too. This dish is usually fried, often in a large, round pan called a wok. Chahan may have first appeared in the 1860s. It was brought by Chinese immigrants who came to the port city of Kobe in Japan. Today, Chahan is a common and much-loved meal in Japanese homes.
The Story of Chahan
Chahan likely began with Chinese immigrants. They arrived in the Japanese city of Kobe around the 1860s. In the Chinese language, fried rice is called chǎofàn. The Japanese use the same Chinese characters to write it. But they read them as Chāhan. This is how the dish got its Japanese name.
How Chahan is Made
Chahan is a Japanese fried rice dish. It is typically cooked by stir frying it quickly in a wok. Rice is the main ingredient. Many other ingredients can be added to make it delicious.
Common Ingredients
- Vegetables like onion and garlic
- Edible mushrooms, such as shiitake
- Tofu
- Meats like pork, pork belly, or ground beef
- Seafoods such as crab meat, roe, salmon, shrimp, and octopus
- Scrambled egg
- Chicken broth
Cooking Tips
Usually, pre-cooked rice is used for Chahan. Sometimes, even leftover rice works great! Oils like canola, sesame, or sunflower oil are used for frying. The dish can be seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and pepper. Sometimes, katsuobushi (dried tuna flakes) is added. Shiso, an Asian herb, can also give it flavor. Nori, which is dried edible seaweed, is often used as a garnish on top.
Using a very hot wok helps cook Chahan quickly. This also stops the rice from sticking to the pan. Using warm rice also helps prevent sticking. If you use dried cooked rice, perhaps by refrigerating it first, it can make the cooking process even better.
Types of Chahan
There are different ways to make Chahan. One popular type is called Takana chahan. This version uses takanazuke, which is pickled takana. It's a very popular dish in Japan.
