How to make Nasi Goreng USA: A Savory Malaysian Fried Rice You’ll Love 💛

9jakitchenblog
September 25, 2025

How to make Nasi Goreng USA: Learn step-by-step to prepare this Malaysian fried rice with shrimp, squid & chicken. Easy, flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes 🍛

Introduction✨

If you’ve ever wondered how to make Nasi Goreng USA at home, you’re in the right place. Nasi Goreng USA is a Malaysian-style fried rice that includes udang (shrimp), sotong (squid) and ayam (chicken) — hence the “USA” in its name (not the United States). This recipe is beloved in Malaysia and Singapore, and has gained international fans for its perfect balance of umami, a hint of sweetness, and seafood charm.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make Nasi Goreng USA from scratch — from ingredients, equipment, tips, nutritional analysis, and FAQs — so you can easily publish it on your blog or make it for dinner tonight 😋.

Origin & Background

The name Nasi Goreng USA comes from Udang (shrimp), Sotong (squid), Ayam (chicken). It’s a Malaysian variant of fried rice that emphasises those three proteins rather than the heavier use of anchovy paste or dried fish. Singaporean and Malaysian Recipes↗
Fried rice techniques more broadly likely trace back to Chinese stir-frying traditions, which spread across Southeast Asia and were adapted in local styles.
Over time, different regions added sambal, sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), and local vegetables to make Nasi Goreng USA distinct.

Thus, while the general concept of fried rice is ancient, Nasi Goreng USA, as a distinct Malaysian dish, is more modern.

Let’s take a look at the name, shall we?

nasi = rice
goreng = fried or to fry
U = stands for udang, prawn (shrimp)
S = is for sotong, squid
A = is for ayam, chicken

So Nasi Goreng USA = Fried Rice with Prawns, Squid and Chicken!

Ingredients (3–4 servings)🥕

3 cups chilled rice 🍚
200 g chicken 🍗
150 g shrimp 🍤
100 g squid 🦑
Shallots, garlic, carrot, green beans 🧅🧄🥕
Chilli paste/sambal 🌶️
Ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce
Salt & pepper 🧂
Garnish: fried egg 🍳, cucumber & tomato 🥒🍅

Equipment Needed🍴

Wok or large frying pan 🔥
Spatula or wok spatula
Prep bowls 🍲
Knife & chopping board
Measuring spoons and cups
Small bowl for sauce
Serving plates 🍽️

Step-by-Step Instructions👩‍🍳

Step 1: Prep all ingredients🔪

Chill the rice, cut the proteins, chop the veggies, and mix the sauce.

Step 2: Heat wok & aromatics🧄

Sauté shallots & garlic until fragrant.

Step 3: Cook chicken, then seafood🍗

Add the chicken, then the carrots and beans. Stir-fry shrimp & squid briefly.

Step 4: Add sauce & rice🍲

Pour in the sauce mix, stir, add rice, and toss thoroughly.

Step 5: Adjust seasoning & serve🍳

Top with fried egg, garnish with cucumber & tomato slices.

Your Nasi Goreng USA is ready to enjoy!

Nasi Goreng USA

Tips & Tricks💡

Use day-old rice 🍚
Stir-fry quickly on high heat 🔥
Don’t overcook seafood 🦐🦑
Balance sauces: spicy, sweet, salty 🌶️🍯🧂
Prep everything in advance 🥣
Garnish smartly 🍳🥒🍅

Nutritional Information (per Serving)📊

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~ 370 kcal
Protein	~ 9 g
Carbohydrates	~ 66 g
Fat	~ 7 g
Fiber	~ 3 g

Source: EatThisMuch↗

Frequently Asked Questions🙋🏽‍♀️

Q1: Can I omit squid or shrimp?
👉 Yes, but then it’s not true Nasi Goreng USA.

Q2: Can I use freshly cooked rice?
👉 It’s possible, but day-old rice is best.

Q3: What if I can’t find sambal?
👉 Use chilli paste or sambal oelek 🌶️.

Q4: How spicy is it?
👉 Depends on your chilli paste — you can adjust.

Q5: Can I make it vegetarian?
👉 Yes! Replace proteins with tofu or tempeh 🥬.

Conclusion🏆

Now you know how to make Nasi Goreng USA step-by-step. This delicious Malaysian fried rice combines shrimp, squid, and chicken with spicy, sweet, and savoury notes 🍤🍗🦑. Serve it with a fried egg on top for a truly irresistible one-wok meal!