Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-fried-rice-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Fried Rice Vegetarian? (Egg, Fish Sauce & Meat)

Fried rice looks like a safe vegetarian default, but the egg, fish sauce and meat are mixed in
rather than served on top. Here is what makes it non-vegetarian, and how to order it plant-based.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Fried rice is usually not vegetarian: it contains scrambled egg and is often seasoned with fish sauce.
> - Chicken, pork, shrimp or char siu are frequent add-ins.
> - Southeast Asian versions (nasi goreng, khao pad) may also have shrimp paste.
> - Order it vegan with no egg, no meat and soy sauce instead of fish sauce.

**TL;DR: Fried rice is usually not vegetarian**: it contains scrambled egg, is often seasoned
with fish sauce, and commonly includes meat or shrimp. Vegetable fried rice without egg and fish
sauce is the vegetarian/vegan option.

## What's usually in it

- **Rice**: vegetarian.
- **Egg**: the classic fried rice is scrambled with egg (not vegan).
- **Fish sauce**: common in Southeast Asian fried rice (Indonesian nasi goreng, Thai khao pad).
- **Meat / shrimp**: chicken, pork, shrimp or char siu are frequent add-ins.
- **Shrimp paste (terasi/belacan)**: sometimes in the sambal or seasoning.

So even "vegetable fried rice" often still has egg and fish sauce.

## How to order it vegetarian or vegan

- Ask for **no meat, no shrimp, no egg**.
- Ask for **soy sauce instead of fish sauce**.
- Check for shrimp paste in the seasoning.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Vegetable fried rice, no meat/shrimp: but confirm no fish sauce.
- **Vegan?** Same, minus the egg.

See our [Fried Rice dish guide](/food/indonesia/fried-rice/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*