Easy Vegan Fried Rice Recipe | Quick Asian Vegetable Fried Rice

Vegan Fried Rice – A Simple Bowl of Comfort Packed with Flavour

There is something deeply comforting about a hot bowl of fried rice tossed together with colourful vegetables, delicate spices, and smoky aromas rising gently from the wok. Fried rice is one of those magical dishes that transforms humble leftover rice into something hearty, satisfying, and incredibly delicious.

Across many Asian homes, fried rice was born out of simple practicality. Leftover rice from the previous day was never wasted. Instead, it was lovingly revived with seasonal vegetables, aromatic spices, simple sauces, and whatever ingredients were available in the kitchen. Over time, every region and every household created its own unique variation, each carrying its own warmth and character.

Interestingly, variations of fried rice can be found across many parts of Asia including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. While the ingredients, sauces, spices, and cooking styles may differ from region to region, the heart of the dish remains the same, transforming simple leftover rice into a comforting, flavourful meal. From smoky wok-fried versions to lighter home-style preparations, fried rice continues to be one of Asia’s most loved comfort foods.

This Vegan Fried Rice is light, wholesome, flavourful, and wonderfully versatile. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Every spoonful feels comforting and nourishing, filled with homely goodness and vibrant flavours.

Today’s Vegan Fried Rice was one of those simple meals thoughtfully prepared using whatever vegetables were available at home. Fresh spinach, carrots, and beans came together beautifully to create a colourful, satisfying bowl packed with freshness and flavour.

This version was also prepared without onion and garlic, making it suitable for those who prefer a Jain-style preparation.

That is truly the charm of fried rice. It does not demand elaborate ingredients or meticulous planning. You simply open the refrigerator, gather the vegetables you have on hand, and bring everything together into a warm, comforting meal. Every version turns out slightly different, yet equally satisfying in its own special way.

Sometimes, the simplest meals made from everyday ingredients become the most comforting and memorable ones.

Crisp vegetables, fragrant seasonings, and perfectly stir-fried rice come together in smoky harmony, creating a dish that often tastes far more comforting than takeout. It is also one of those quick meals that can be prepared effortlessly on busy days while still feeling wholesome, hearty, and nourishing.

Ingredients

Cooked Rice (preferably day-old rice) – 4 cups

Carrot – 1 small, finely chopped

Beans – 8-10, finely chopped

Capsicum – 1 small, finely chopped

Cabbage – 1 cup, shredded

Spring Onion Greens – ¼ cup, chopped

Garlic – 5-6 cloves, finely chopped

Ginger – 1 inch piece, finely chopped

Green Chillies – 1-2, finely chopped

Soy Sauce – 1½ tbsp

Vinegar – 1 tsp

Black Pepper Powder – 1 tsp

Salt – as required

Sesame Oil / Cooking Oil – 2 tbsp

Optional additions:

Sweet Corn – ¼ cup

Mushrooms – ½ cup sliced

Tofu cubes – ½ cup

Method

Heat oil in a wok or a broad pan. Once the oil becomes hot, add the finely chopped garlic, ginger, and green chillies. Sauté briefly till aromatic.

Add the carrots, beans, capsicum, cabbage, and any other vegetables you are using. Stir fry on a high flame for a few minutes. The vegetables should remain slightly crunchy and not become soggy.

Add soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper powder, and salt. Mix well.

Now gently add the cooked rice. Using a spatula or fork, carefully toss the rice with the vegetables without breaking the grains.

Stir fry on a high flame for 2-3 minutes to achieve that lovely smoky flavour associated with good fried rice.

Finally add chopped spring onion greens and give everything a final toss.

Serve hot on its own or with a side of chilli tofu, Manchurian, or a simple Asian-style gravy.

Sukanya’s Musings Tips

The secret to good fried rice always lies in the rice itself. Freshly cooked hot rice often turns mushy, while day-old refrigerated rice gives the perfect texture and separation.

This is also one of the best “clean your refrigerator” dishes where little bits of vegetables come together beautifully into a wholesome meal.

Simple, humble, quick, and satisfying, fried rice continues to remain one of the world’s most loved comfort foods.

#VeganFriedRice #VegetableFriedRice #VeganRecipes #AsianFood #ComfortFood #EasyRecipes #SukanyasMusings

Vegan Yang Chow Fried Rice Recipe | Easy Filipino Chinese Style Fried Rice

Did you know that Chinese Filipinos are one of the largest overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, with a rich heritage that has deeply shaped Filipino culture over centuries? Through early trade and migration, the Chinese brought lasting influences to the Philippines...especially in the world of food.

From stir-fried dishes and delicate rice cakes to beloved noodle favourites like Pancit, Chinese culinary traditions blended beautifully with local flavours to create iconic fusion cuisine. One delicious result of this heritage is Yang Chow Fried Rice, a vibrant, flavour-packed dish loved across the Philippines.

Traditionally prepared with barbecued pork such as Char Siu and juicy prawns, this version offers a delightful vegetarian twist with hearty soya nuggets. Colourful, aromatic, and satisfying, this Yang Chow Fried Rice is a complete meal in itself, comforting, wholesome, and absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients (Serves – 4)
Rice – 2 cups
Soya nuggets – 1 cup
Soya sauce - 1 ½ tbsps
Onion – 1 chopped
Green peas - ¾ cup
Carrots – 1 julienned
French Beans – 1 julienned
Corn – ½ cup
Lettuce – 8- 10 leaves
Ginger minced – 1 tsp
Garlic minced – 1 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Cooking Oil – 3 tbsps
Salt as per taste

Method

Cook the rice beforehand, or for best results, use rice cooked the previous day and chilled in the refrigerator. This helps the grains remain separate and gives the fried rice its signature fluffy texture.

Rinse the soya nuggets well, then soak them in boiling hot water with a pinch of salt for at least 15 minutes. Once softened, transfer them into cool water. Drain through a colander and squeeze out all the excess water so they are ready to absorb flavour beautifully.

Prepare and chop all the vegetables before you begin cooking.

Heat oil in a wok over medium-high flame. Add the ginger and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add the onions and cook for about a minute until slightly softened.

Next, add the soya nuggets and sauté well. We want them to soak up all the delicious flavours. Add 1 teaspoon soy sauce and continue stir-frying for 2–3 minutes until the nuggets are lightly browned and flavourful.

Now add in all the vegetables. Stir-fry on high heat, season lightly with salt, and toss continuously. The vegetables should remain vibrant, crisp, and slightly crunchy—not overcooked.

Add the cooked rice and mix thoroughly so everything is evenly combined. Pour in the soy sauce, sugar, and adjust salt carefully, keeping in mind that soy sauce already adds saltiness.

Mix well, cover with a lid, and cook on low flame for about 10 minutes so the rice absorbs all the wonderful flavours.

Finally, add the chopped spring onion greens. Toss everything together and cook uncovered for another 2 minutes.

Your delicious Yang Chow Fried Rice is now ready to serve. Enjoy hot with chillies marinated in soy sauce on the side.

Tips

I have used Thai Rice in this recipe. The key is to use rice that fluffs up well and does not turn sticky.

Leftover cold rice works wonderfully, as chilled rice grains remain separate and are ideal for fried rice.

If using freshly cooked rice, spread it on a large plate or tray and allow it to cool completely before cooking. This helps prevent clumping.

Variations

This recipe is completely vegan-friendly.

The soya nuggets can be replaced with tofu, tempeh, or store-bought mock meats for different textures and flavours.

Traditionally, Yang Chow Fried Rice is made with Char Siu and prawns, so non-vegetarian versions can include these classic ingredients.

PINAKULUANG / NILAGANG OKRA (STEAMED OKRA / OKRA SALAD)

PINAKULUANG / NILAGANG OKRA (STEAMED OKRA / OKRA SALAD)
I’m absolutely loving, cooking Asian dishes at home, some of the dishes are so simple, you never knew that cooking could be this simple and the best part is the nutrients are intact.
One such dish is the Steamed Okra /Ladies Finger. This dish is a simple and economical dish and very affordable.
In the Indian cuisine we add a lot of spices to enhance the flavors of the dish, it sometimes tends to overpower the actual taste of the vegetable. While I absolutely love the Indian Bhindi (Ladies finger) in any form hands down. I would have to admit that this recipe is by far the simplest recipe ever and manages to pack in the nutrition in it.
It is steam cooked lightly, still managing the crunch and yet not being raw.
There’s a study that says, cooking vegetables 10 minutes or less generally gets you the most benefits.
Asian cuisine is synonymous with cooking “under”, they love the crunch in the vegetables.
Traditionally, this dish is served with Bagoong which is a mix of *Fish sauce, with a dash of lemon and chilly, like a vinaigrette.
They allow the lemon and chilli slices to marinate in the fish sauce and eat the okra by dipping in this Vinaigrette.
This Recipe is an Oil free recipe, diabetic friendly and for weight watchers.
Enjoy making and relishing this recipe.

Ingredients
Okra – 12 -15 pieces
Salt as per needed (Optional)

For the Bagoong(Vinaigrette) 
*Vegetarian Fish Sauce – 3 tbsp
Lemon juice – ½ lemon squeezed without seeds
Green Chilly – 1 chopped into fine pieces

Method
In a wok, add water Put water in a small pot, add a pinch of salt for extra taste (Optional), bring to a boil then add the okra. Cook until okra is tender, remove from pot and drain the water, give it a good shake and then place in a plate.
Combine all the ingredients mentioned for the sauce and serve hot with steaming hot rice.

TIPS

· I didn’t cut the top and bottom part of the Okra as I didn’t want my Okra to be slimy. It’s also way more nutritious to cook it as a whole.

· Once the water reaches boiling point, put in the Okra and let it cook for 2-3 minutes

· Take a fork, if the fork goes through it’s done.

· You can alternatively retain the water that the Okra is boiled in, add a dash of soya sauce/salt and a dash of pepper and enjoy as a soup as this water is very nutritious


VARIATIONS

· If you do not want to use the Vegetarian Fish Sauce, you can replace it with soya sauce instead.

BAGUIO SOY GARLIC BEANS

BAGUIO SOY GARLIC BEANS
Exploring Asian Cuisine as the tastes of the people at home is getting diverse thanks to living in Singapore.

Today, I’m sharing a recipe from the Filipino Cuisine.

Baguio is a place in the Philippines where the Beans are commonly grown, hence the name Baguio Soy Garlic Beans and as the name suggests you can guess the ingredients.

Beans are a versatile dish and you can make it in many ways. 

The Filipinos are meat lovers and add meats as a variation to this beans dish. But I’m going to share with you’ll a Vegan version of this dish.

What I love about Asian cuisine is, the dishes are very simple to cook.
They do not overcook their vegetables, they only half cook it so they are slightly crunchy and retain their original taste. The spices do not overwhelm the dish. And the best part is they are quick to cook. This dish takes all of 7 minutes right from the cutting to the cooking to the plate. Vegetables are served as sides in the Filipino cuisine. Garlic gives this dish a potent flavor and aroma

Ingredients
French Beans (Baguio Beans) – 200 grams
Sesame Oil / Cooking oil – 1-2 tsps
Garlic – 2 pods / 1 teaspoon finely chopped
Soya Sauce - 1 tbsp
Sesame seeds – ½ tsp toasted

Method 
Trim the edges of the beans. Wash them well. In a pan, Boil water, I added a pinch of salt for the extra punch. Now, dump in the beans and cook for a couple of minutes until partially done.
Fork out the beans and keep aside. Retain the water as it has a lot of nutrition.
In a wok /pan, add a ¼ spoon of sesame seeds, when it starts to splutter, remove and keep aside.
Now, in the same wok/pan, pour in the sesame oil, once hot, add the garlic and saute for a minute, do not cook until red, it will cook some more with the beans later. Add the Beans, Pour the Soya sauce. Give it a good stir.
Cook, just until the green beans are done and most of the sauce has been soaked up. The flavors permeate into the beans and make this dish very aromatic.
Transfer the cooked beans on a plate along with the garlic and the sauce as show in the picture.
Sprinkle in the toasted sesame seeds and serve hot with steaming hot rice.

Tips
· The water that the beans was cooked in can be served as a plain soup with a dash of soya sauce as a side.

Variations
· The Filipinos add meat to the dish, Vegetarians/Vegans can add crumbled Soya chunks to the above recipe.

VEGETARIAN / VEGAN ARROZ CALDO (FILIPINO RICE PORRIDGE)

VEGETARIAN / VEGAN ARROZ CALDO (FILIPINO RICE PORRIDGE)
Arroz Caldo is a simple Filipino rice porridge, “Arroz” means Rice and “Caldo” means soup.
The Filipinos are meat lovers and almost every dish would have meat in some form or the other.
This dish also has meat in it but since I'm a vegetarian, I'm sharing a vegetarian recipe with a slight Indian twist😉 (Turmeric and coriander).
It's usually made of shredded chicken, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth.
My Filipino helper introduced me to this simple yet healthy dish.
She first made it and it tasted exactly like our Khichdi minus the lentils.👍
My helper says that they used to get this for breakfast at the Government school they studied in back in Ilo Ilo, Philippines.
She says due to poverty, many kids going to the Government schools are malnourished.
The Government or people who are well to do donate Rice to the school and when they are blessed with these Rice donations, they make a simple Arroz Caldo and serve it to all the kids.
The kids themselves volunteer to cook it under the supervision of the teachers.👍
It's nutritious and filling and helps to satiate the pangs of hunger of these kids from the lower economic backgrounds who don't have enough to eat at home.👍

Arroz Caldo is a dish that I would recommend highly👍 as it is very light on the stomach and easy to digest.👍
A piping hot bowl♨ of Arroz Caldo will be perfect when you have a cold or not feeling well or when you are tired and lazy and want to rustle up something quickly.
Next time you are lazy make Arroz Caldo instead of a packet of Instant Noodles.
Although she says, sometimes they add a packet of instant noodles to the Arroz Caldo, but I won't recommend it.

Ingredients
Brown Rice /White rice - 1 cup
Oil - 1 tbsp
Ginger - 1/2 inch
Garlic - 3-4 pods
Red chilly flakes - 1/2 tsp
Coarse Black Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Salt as per taste
Coriander leaves - 1tbsp finely chopped (Optional)
Spring onion leaves - 1 tbsp finely chopped (Optional)
Drumstick leaves - 2 tbsps (Optional)

Method

Wash the rice nicely and Cook in a pressure cooker up to 3 whistles. My helper says they used to cook it in an open pot only.
Peel and chop the garlic and ginger finely.
In a wok, take 1 tbsp oil, once the oil is hot, add the ginger and garlic and fry for a minute or 2.
When it's brown in colour, then add the turmeric and the cooked rice and mix well.
Add salt to taste.
Give it a good stir.
Add 2 cups of water and cook until all the spices are blended into the rice.
Serve it piping hot with a dash of the chilly flakes and pepper powder.
You can garnish it with finely chopped spring onion leaves or coriander leaves or drumstick leaves. 

Dunk into the hot Arroz Caldo and enjoy.

STIR FRY TOFU WITH VEGETABLES

STIR FRY TOFU WITH VEGETABLES
This is a vegan recipe. I was also careful to use the NON GMO Soya bean Tofu.  
(Kindly do click on the word "NON GMO Soya bean" hyperlink to learn more about Non GMO Foods).
There are many varieties of Tofu available in the market. For this recipe choose the medium firm ones. In Singapore you can buy it everywhere and they are known as Tau kwa.
Soya bean is high in calcium which is good for your bones and teeth.

Tau Kwa also has a high amount of Isoflavones which allows one to prevent heart disease. FDA states that consumption of 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. With these kind of health benefits isn’t it good to add tofu to your vegetables?

This dish is very easy to cook and very healthy as it’s packed with proteins and vitamins. I would call it a crunchy crispy delight. You can eat this with brown rice/ white rice/ Noodles or just dunk into a bowlful of this nutritional delicacy.

Stir fry vegetables with soya sauce is made in many south asian countries with a variation to the sauces / spices used.

Below is the Indo-Chinese, Indo-thai, Indo-Pinoy fusion version. (Indo because there is an Indian twist to it)

You can add any vegetables to it like Broccoli, Celery, Mushrooms, Cauliflower….the list of variations is endless. You can rustle this up with whatever you have at home.

Ingredients

Tofu cubes (Tau Kwa) - 1 teacup
Carrot - 1
French Beans / Snow Peas – 5 - 6
Onions  –  2
Tomatoes - 1
Capsicum – 1
Green chilly – 1 big (non – spicy variety)
Stem of spinach – a few
Oil – 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp (optional)
Soya Sauce – 1 tbsp
Ginger paste – 1 tsp
Red chilli powder – ½ tsp (optional)
Salt as per taste
Pepper – a pinch of coarsely ground pepper (optional)
Spring onion for garnish
Coriander leaves for garnish

Method
Cut the Tofu into cubes Deep fry the tofu until medium brown (about 5 to 8 minutes). Set aside. You can avoid frying and can add the tofu at the end when the vegetables are almost done. Tofu cubes are soft and tend to break, hence, frying would be a good option to keep its texture and shape good.

Chop 1 onion, tomato and the ginger and make a coarse paste in the blender. Keep aside.

Julienne ( cut thin strip lengthwise ) the carrots , beans , capsicum, Chilly,  Cut some Spinach stems about the same length as the julienned carrots

Now, heat a pan and pour-in 1 tablespoon cooking oil. Add the cumin seeds, when it splutters, Sauté the onion. Once it’s translucent, add in the blended coarse paste of the Onion- Ginger Tomato and sauté well, until you see the oil come out of the paste indicating its cooked well. Now add the fried tofu and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add all the vegetables and stir fry for 3 to 5 minutes. Put-in soya sauce, salt as per taste, chilly powder and pepper as required. Cook in steam till it’s done. The vegetable shouldn’t be overdone. It should be cooked but crunchy.

Garnish with finely chopped spring onion leaves and cilantro (Coriander leaves)

You can make a vegetable broth to pour on top or just enjoy the way it is. Serve steaming hot with Rice/ Noodles or just plain.

Flavors of Cumin & Tomatoes give an Indian twist to this dish. Do enjoy this healthy recipe.

PIAYA - A FILIPINO DESSERT / SWEET SNACK

This is an ode to my Filipino maid who is with me for 2 and half years. Its festive time for Christians with Christmas and New year  around the corner and here is a Filipino dessert to tingle your taste buds. The first glimpse of the Piaya actually makes you feel it is an Indian dish. Since it looks like a paratha (Stuffed bread) and the first bite gives you a nostalgic feeling as it tastes somewhat like the Puran Poli.

After the completion of 2 years with me, my domestic helper(maid) who helps me dish out these wonderful dishes went home to visit her family and came back with this sweet delicacy for us. Since we are strict vegetarians we were a bit skeptical, so she told me, ”Maam it is completely vegetarian”. I tried it and the taste was so much like puran poli that I decided to share this wonderful recipe

Piaya

PIAYA

This Filipino dish originated in the Negros province found in the middle of the country which is considered as the sugar capital of the Philippines. Other regions in Visayas also produce this sweet delicacy or snack.

Piaya (pronounce Peeyaya) is made up of a jam made from raw sugar (muscovado) which is brown in color and sandwiched inside a flat unleavened bread, sometimes sprinkled with sesame seed and finally grilled onto a pan.

Piaya is a dessert but can be also classified as a sweet snack.

The piaya has various variants, the most popular is the ube (purple yam) piaya. When you eat this, be sure to have a glass of water nearby. It’s very very sweet.

Now, there are different flavors such as Ube (Purple Yam), {Please click on link to know more about Ube},Mango and Chocolate. 

Piaya regular/Ube flavored

Ingredients

All purpose flour -2 cups

Oil – 8-10 tbsps.

Muscovado sugar - 1/2 cup (can alter as per taste)

Water – About 5-6 tbsps

Sesame seeds – 3 -4 tbsps (as per your liking)

Method

In a bowl, combine half of the flour and half of the oil; mix well.

Divide into 20 portions shape in balls. Set aside.

Add some water to the muscovado sugar to make it moist. Divide into 20 portions. Set aside.

Mix the remaining flour, oil and some water. Knead to a cylinder and divide into 20 portions.

Flatten each portion and top with the flour and oil mixture. Roll out and stuff with muscovado filling. Close the edges.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake in a preheated oven in medium heat or grill until brown on the outside.