National Fried Rice Day
About National Fried Rice Day
When is National Fried Rice? This holiday is always celebrated on September 20
People all over the world eat rice in many, many ways. So, that means millions of us all over the world are going to just love this great food holiday. Today is National Fried Rice Day. On this September 20 holiday, we celebrate and consume the world’s most popular food staple. Of all the ways we use it, fried rice is the most popular. We eat it as a side dish, or as the main course. And, amazingly this flavorful dish was originally just a way to use up leftovers from last night’s dinner.
Fried rice is one of the most popular ways we use rice. Pork fried rice is the most popular recipe. The recipe includes rice, pork, peas, onion, eggs, and soy sauce. It is cooked in a wok with a little peanut oil at high temperature. The result is a slightly sticky consistency. And that’s a good thing, as fried rice is best consumed using chopsticks.
A World-Wide Love of Rice
The human race has been eating rice for a long, long time. Archeologists and historians tell us it was first gathered as a source of food in China between 13,500 and 8,200 years ago. From China, the cultivation of rice spread across Asia and into Africa. Mexican and Spanish cultures are also big rice consumers. Currently, it is grown in many parts of the world. And, people around the world love rice, cooked in many ways. Fried rice is just one of the many recipes.
Fried rice evolved in China during the Sui Dynasty (589 – 618 B.C.). It became a way to use leftover food. The basic ingredients were leftover rice, vegetables, meat, eggs, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. For thousands of years, it was not overly popular. Then, it gained popularity during China’s Ming Dynasty (1,368 – 1644). Today, we enjoy it as a main course or as a side dish. Most Asian cultures have their own version of fried rice. In Japan it is called “Chahan”. In Mexico, it pairs with refried black beans along with any main course.
National Fried Rice Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are rice trivia and facts to allow you to impress your friends with your knowledge of this staple.
- It is the most popular food staple for over half the population of the planet.
- Rice is most popular in Asia and Africa.
- Worldwide, we consume over 520 million metric tons of rice per year.
- China is the largest consumer, at over 147 million metric tons. In comparison, the United States consumes about 4.8 million metric tons per year.
- Short grain rice has fewer nutrients and fiber than brown or wild rice.
- Fried rice is often made in a wok.
- The wok was invented in China over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty.
- In Asian countries, chopsticks are the primary utensil to eat food. That includes rice.
- It is improper etiquette to insert chopsticks upright into rice or other food. It’s an insult.
How to Celebrate National Fried Rice Day
Here are some ways for you to enjoy National Fried Rice Day:
- Grab your chopsticks and have fried rice as a main course or side dish.
- Make it yourself at home. Be adventuresome and add a couple ingredients not normally in fried rice.
- Buy a wok.
- Enjoy a bottle of rice wine.
- Hold a party, centered around the theme of today.
- Grow your own rice. – In the right climate, you too can grow it. And you can buy the seeds online!
National Fried Rice Day Quotes
“Rice is great if you’re really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something.” – – Mitch Hedberg
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – – Confucius
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – – Confucius
Also see Confucius — The humorous side.
History and Origin of National Fried Rice Day
In 2018 the Japanese Sushi and Steakhouse Teppanyaki restaurant Benihana created this holiday. Their objective is to celebrate this great meal and side dish. Without a doubt, the holiday also helps to increase their sales. However, we don’t fault them, because it gives us a reason to enjoy fried rice.
We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. Nor, did we find any congressional records or presidential proclamation.
If you have any information about this holiday, please email us.
This Day in History
In addition to National Fried Rice Day, here are some things that happened on this day:
- Equal Rights Party nominates the first woman for U.S. President and Vice President. (1884)
- Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in a battle of the sexes tennis match. (1973)
- Actress Sophia Loren was born on this day in 1934.
Related Holidays and Articles
People who like National Fried Rice Day will also like:
Chinese Recipes Fried Rice goes perfectly with any Chinese recipe.
More September 20 Holidays
In addition to National Fried Rice Day, here are more September 20 holidays you can celebrate and enjoy:
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