Wondering what to serve with fried rice? Get ready to drool because this post is full of easy, mouthwatering ideas.

Fried rice is one of the tastiest and most versatile Chinese rice dishes out there, with endless variations and possibilities.

So, whether you’re looking for sides that go well with chicken fried rice, shrimp fried rice, or just even something fancier like dried scallop and egg white fried rice, keep scrolling. We have tons of delicious ideas for you down below that will guarantee you a rice time.

Soups and Appetizers to Have with Fried Rice

If you’re in the mood to start your fried rice feast off with a nice soup or starter, then here are some ideas. From takeout classics to irresistible finger foods, all of these fried rice accompaniments are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Hot and Sour Soup

You know what would contrast perfectly with the fluffy umami richness of fried rice? The tangy and spicy wonders of a classic Hot and Sour Soup.

It’s spicy (thanks to hot sauce/oil), tangy (thanks to vinegar), and filling (thanks to the abundance of mushrooms, tofu, pork, carrots, and egg), making it a great starter to have before or with your fried rice. It’s also surprisingly easy to throw together!

Check out our full Hot and Sour Soup recipe for more details.

Chicken and Corn Egg Drop Soup

Another rich and tasty soup that would go well with fried rice is the classic Chicken and Corn Egg Drop Soup, made up of juicy bites of chicken and corn, all mixed together in a light but dreamy broth studded with airy wisps of egg (much like fried rice itself!)

If you’re looking for a lighter soup to enjoy with fried rice, this one is a great bet.

Check out our full Chicken and Corn Egg Drop Soup recipe for more details.

West Lake Beef Soup

For another light but delicious soup that goes well with fried rice, a lesser known choice is West Lake Beef Soup.

This dreamy soup is made up of succulent beef pieces and luscious egg whites, all stirred together in a slightly thickened broth that is oh so comforting.

Check out our full West Lake Beef Soup recipe for more details.

Tomato and Tofu Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soups are a great pre-fried rice starter, but if you’re looking for an especially tangy pick to mix things up, this tomato and tofu egg drop soup is a great pick.

Hefty chunks of tomato add just the right amount of acidity to this savory soup, which pairs with tofu and egg to create a satisfying mouthful.

Check out our full Tomato and Tofu Egg Drop Soup Recipe for more details.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls

Looking for a heavier appetizer to go with your fried rice? Recreate your own takeout feast by making these crispy and juicy Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls!

Making an appearance on every Westernized takeout menu, these gluttonous delights consist simply of juicy chicken coated in batter, then deep fried to perfection and served with an irresistible sweet and sour sauce.

Oh, and yes – they are indeed perfect for serving with fried rice… although you may need to take a nap after.

Check out our full Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls recipe for more details.

Pork & Chive Dumplings

Another great starter to serve with fried rice is some juicy pork and chive dumplings.

While they take a bit of work, these juicy bundles of meat encased in a crispy dough wrapper are MORE than worth the effort, and wonderful for having alongside fried rice.

Check out our full Pork and Chive Dumplings recipe for more details.

Vegan Dumplings

Looking for a delicious pre-fried rice appetizer that’s also vegan-friendly? These tasty Vegan Dumplings are packed with veggies of all kinds for a gloriously delicious result.

… We sometimes even prefer these over the meat ones!

Check out our full Vegan Dumplings recipe for more details.

Seafood Spring Rolls

Another appetizer ideal for pairing with fried rice are these unreal Seafood Spring Rolls.

Packed with juicy bits of mixed seafood tossed in a creamy dressing, these addictive fried treats might even steal the show… and have everyone begging for the recipe.

Check out our full Seafood Spring Rolls recipe for more details.

Vegan Spring Rolls

Keen to enjoy some spring rolls with your fried rice, but looking for a plant-based alternative? This Vegan Spring Roll recipe is must try!

Packed with a variety of mixed vegetables, we honestly like these more than most meat-based spring rolls.

Check out our full Vegan Spring Rolls recipe for more details.

Main Dishes That Go with Fried Rice

Fried rice is commonly considered a side dish itself, especially at fast food Chinese places where it’s usually served as a combo item with other dishes.

If you want to go this route and have something hearty and delicious to pair with ricey canvas, then here are some tasty recipes for main dishes that go well with fried rice.

Beef and Broccoli

Ah, one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes of all time… and as it so happens, one that pairs perfectly with a bed of hot fried rice.

In this recipe, juicy beef and crunchy broccoli come together in perfect harmony with a delicious savory sauce that binds it all together.

Check out our full Beef and Broccoli recipe for more details, or (if you’re looking to mix things up a little), check out our Beef with Chinese Broccoli (AKA Gai Lan) recipe.

Stir Fry Vegetables

Looking for a healthy side dish to go with your fried rice? These versatile Stir Fry Vegetables are a must!

In this recipe, your choice of crunchy veggies come together with a light but flavorful sauce. The best part of this recipe is how versatile and easily adaptable it is to what you have in your fridge, so consider whipping some up the next time you want to add a healthy punch to your fried rice feast.

Check out our full Stir Fry Vegetables recipe for more details.

Easy and Delicious Air Fryer Char Siu (BBQ Pork)

Or if you want to go the opposite way and enjoy a succulent bit of BBQ with your fried rice, then one topping I can wholeheartedly recommend is the almighty Char Siu (BBQ Pork).

In this easy air fryer recipe, mouthwatering pork is roasted to perfection in a marinade that’s salty, sweet, sticky… and perfect for consuming with fluffy egg fried rice.

Check out our Air Fryer Char Siu recipe for more details.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Another dreamy dish that goes well with fried rice is Sweet and Sour Pork.

In this recipe, deep fried pieces of battered pork are combined with juicy chunks of pepper and pineapple to create THE ultimate indulgence slathered in a sweet yet tangy sauce.

Check out our full Sweet and Sour Pork recipe for more details.

Cashew Chicken

For a lighter main dish that goes well with fried rice, Cashew Chicken is a must-try.

In this recipe, juicy chicken, crunchy cashew nuts, and delicious pepper chunks are brought together in a simple clear sauce.

Check out our full Cashew Chicken recipe for more details.

Kung Pao Chicken

Fried rice on its own is usually quite mild, so if you’re looking for a delicious dish to go with fried rice that also adds some kick, then consider whipping up a batch of this tongue-numbing Kung Pao Chicken.

Made with succulent chicken, crunchy peppers, and a beautifully spicy sauce, this recipe makes an excellent match for fried rice of all kinds.

Check out our full Kung Pao Chicken recipe for more details.

Ginger Beef

Ginger Beef is a beloved Chinese-Canadian main dish made up of thin strips of deep fried beef that are then slathered in an addictive sweet sauce.

… And surprise – it’s actually easy to make at home!

Check out our full Ginger Beef recipe for more details.

Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

For a healthy and flavourful fried rice side dish that’s packed with veggies and protein, you need to give this Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry recipe a try.

In this dish, juicy shrimp and crunchy asparagus are tossed together with some light seasoning to create a clean but delicious dish that goes perfectly with the richness of a fluffy fried rice.

Check out our full Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe for more details.

Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion

Another saucy meat dish that goes perfectly with fried rice is this delicious Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion.

This simple recipe comes together quickly, and is packed with flavor thanks to its liberal use of aromatics like ginger and green onion.

Check out our full Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Green Onion recipe for more details.

Quick & Juicy Beef and Tomato Stir Fry

Looking for an acidic and tangy dish to go with your fried rice? This Beef and Tomato Stir Fry is a staple of Cantonese home cooking, and you won’t believe how easy it is to make!

Made up of juicy tomatoes and tender beef, this saucy dish makes for an absolutely dreamy meal when paired with fried rice, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

Check out our full Beef and Tomato Stir Fry recipe for more details.

Succulent and Tender Soy Sauce Chicken Wings

If you don’t mind your meal getting a little messy, another comforting Chinese classic that goes well on top of fried rice is a set of Soy Sauce Chicken Wings.

These tender and succulent wings are incredibly addictive thanks to their sweet soy sauce-infusion… and while they can be easily consumed as a nice appetizer, we like to have them on top of fried rice so that all the tasty sauce is absorbed, and not a single drop is wasted.

Check out our full Soy Sauce Chicken Wings recipe for more details.

5 Minute Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken

If you’re looking for a quick and refreshing chicken dish to go with fried rice, you need to try our 5 minute Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken.

Refreshing, cool and packed with flavour, you can even make it using rotisserie chicken leftovers!

Check out our full Chinese Cold Shredded Chicken recipe for more details.

Desserts to Serve with Fried Rice

Last but not least, if you’re looking for a tasty dessert to finish off your fried rice feast, here are some ideas.

Egg Tarts

These popular Chinese pastries/desserts are made up of a sweet eggy custard encased in a flaky pastry shell. They’re especially popular as a snack or at dim sum, but we love them so much we’ll happily eat them for dessert.

While Egg Tarts are easy to purchase from any Chinese bakery, there’s something simply irresistible about making your own and inhaling them fresh out of the oven.

Luckily, Papa G has created an ultra easy recipe full of shortcuts that can help you make this dream a reality… with minimal fuss!

Check out our quick & easy Egg Tarts recipe for more details.

Mango Pudding

At large Chinese banquets, it’s very common to serve mango pudding as a dessert… sometimes even in a fancy shape like a Koi Fish!

Koi-shaped or not though, mango pudding makes for a refreshing and slurpworthy dessert, especially after a heavy meal starring fried rice.

Looking for an easy way to make it? Papa G’s mango pudding recipe is super simple and delicious.

Check out our Mango Pudding recipe for more details.

Coconut Milk Pudding

Another popular dessert pudding in Chinese cuisine is Coconut Milk Pudding. While richer than its mango counterpart, it makes for an irresistible way to end a meal… and it’s super simple to make at home too!

Check out our Coconut Milk Pudding recipe for more details.

Deep Fried Sesame Balls

If you’d like a bit of a challenge, another Chinese dessert you could serve after fried rice is the Deep Fried Sesame Ball, which consists of a sweet filling encased in a crispy, sesame-coated shell.

These delicious golden-brown treats are usually filled with lotus or red bean paste, although you really can’t go wrong with more unconventional fillings like Nutella or chocolate.

The most beautiful part of this recipe is you can customize it to your own liking, with whatever fillings you want.

Check out our Deep Fried Sesame Balls recipe for more details.

Black Sesame Tang Yuan 

Black Sesame Tang Yuan (roughly translated to Black Sesame “Soup Balls”) are a heavenly Chinese dessert with an addictively chewy skin made of glutinous rice flour on the outside, and a perfectly sweet and nutty filling made of black sesame on the inside.

This is a popular Winter Solstice & Chinese New Year food, and is often saved for celebratory occasions like weddings.

Of course, nothing can stop you from whipping up a batch whenever the cravings hit… and you’ll be pleased to learn it’s actually not too difficult to make yourself!

Check out our Black Sesame Tang Yuan recipe for more details.

Lime Jello

Lastly, this is a weird one, and quite possibly a very niche novelty from my Canadianized Chinese upbringing, but Lime Jello was actually a staple of dim sum and buffet style restaurants for me growing up, so much that I now associate green Jello with Chinese cuisine.

Truly, as a kid, a meal didn’t feel finished until I had one of these dense blocks of Jello, which were usually thicker and bouncier than usual Jello Cups.

Check out our full Dim Sum Style Jello recipe for more details.

Did we miss any of your favorite dishes to enjoy with fried rice?

Let us know in the comments so we can add more recommendations to the list!