Omurice facts for kids
Omurice is topped with ketchup
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| Alternative names | Japanese Egg Roll Fried Rice |
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| Place of origin | Japan |
| Main ingredients | Chicken eggs, rice and ketchup optional |
| Variations | Omu Curry, Omuhayashi (with hayashi rice), Omu-Soba, Tampopo omurice |
Omurice (pronounced "oh-moo-rice") is a super popular Japanese dish. It's basically a yummy omelette wrapped around fried rice, often topped with ketchup. Many families make it at home, and kids especially love it! You'll often find omurice as part of a special "children's meal" in Japan, called okosama-ranchi.
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What's in the Name?
The name Omurice is a mix of two English words! The "omu" part comes from "omelette," and "raisu" comes from "rice." This kind of Japanese word made from English words is called wasei-eigo.
Omurice History
Omurice is thought to have started around the early 1900s. It was first made at a Western-style restaurant in Tokyo called Renga-tei. The idea for omurice was inspired by a type of sushi called chakin-zushi.
Types of Omurice
The most common omurice has chikin raisu (chicken rice) inside. This rice is usually pan-fried with ketchup and chicken. But the ingredients used to flavor the rice can change!
Rice Fillings
Often, the rice is fried with different meats, usually chicken, or various vegetables. It can be flavored with beef stock, ketchup, a rich brown sauce called demi-glace, or even a white sauce. Sometimes, people just use salt and pepper.
Other Noodle and Rice Versions
- If you replace the rice with fried noodles (yakisoba), it becomes omusoba.
- In Okinawa, there's a version called omutako. This is an omelet placed over taco rice.
- Some popular meats to include are fried hot dogs and Spam.
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Models of various omurice dishes
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On the inside
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Omurice with demi-glace sauce.
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Omurice making, -Jul. 2012 a.ogv
Video of the preparation of an omurice dish
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Omurice-inshop-okayama-japan-2019-08-14.webm
Video of cutting open an omurice
Dishes Like Omurice
A similar dish is found in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It's called nasi goreng pattaya. This dish is fried rice covered in a thin fried egg or omelet.
Another similar dish is called Volga rice.
Omurice in Pop Culture
A special kind of omurice was created for the 1985 comedy film Tampopo. This version was made with help from Taimeiken, a famous restaurant in Nihonbashi. In this style, the rice is covered with an omelet that is only half-cooked. The omelet is then cut open right at the table to spread out and cover the rice. This way of making omurice became so popular that it's now a standard at many restaurants!
When people cook omurice at home, they usually make a thin omelet completely. Then, they place it over the seasoned rice and decorate it with ketchup.
Homestyle omurice is also often found on menus at maid cafes. The ketchup makes it easy for the staff to decorate the meal at the table as part of their special service.
See also
In Spanish: Omurice para niños
