Filipino Favourite Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag) at Home

Q: What is the famous Filipino dish made from leftover rice, garlic, and onions?

The dish you're referring to is called "Sinangag" or Filipino garlic fried rice. It's a beloved breakfast staple in the Philippines, often made using day-old rice sautéed with lots of garlic and sometimes onions, then paired with eggs, tapa, longganisa, or other fried meats.

Q: Where did garlic fried rice originate?

Garlic fried rice, known locally as Sinangag, originated in the Philippines as a smart and delicious way to use up leftover rice. Over time, it became more than just a practical dish—it's now a traditional part of the silog meals (like tapsilog or longsilog), showcasing the Filipino love for hearty, flavorful breakfasts.

Q: Can you use freshly cooked rice for making garlic fried rice?

While it's possible to use freshly cooked rice, it's not ideal. Fresh rice tends to be soft and moist, which can make the fried rice soggy or clumpy. Day-old rice that's been refrigerated is drier, allowing it to fry up with a better texture and separate grains—giving you that classic, slightly crispy finish.

Q: What type of rice is best for making garlic fried rice?

Long-grain white rice, like Jasmine rice, works best for garlic fried rice. It cooks up fluffy and separates easily, which is key for good texture. If you're using leftover rice, make sure it’s been cooled and stored properly, as this helps eliminate excess moisture and enhances the dish’s texture when fried.

Filipinos can’t live without rice; it’s the heart of our cuisine. We love it so much that we always have rice on our table, whether at a restaurant or at home. I also order garlic fried rice every time I go to Amber Restaurant.

This has become my routine, and now their waiters know it’s a must-have for me. I also make it at home whenever I have leftover rice, and I’ll share my secret in this blog below.

AMBER MENU

Its taste is superb even if you eat it plain, but it pairs much better if you’re planning to have Adobo or pork BBQ for dinner. So let’s find out how you can enjoy it at home (and also use leftover rice).
Price and servings on the Amber menu:

Serving Size	Price
single order	₱ 25.00

Why is garlic fried rice so famous?

The reason why I think garlic-fried rice is so famous is that it’s simple to make, and the rice is flavorful. You can make it at home in under 10 minutes and enjoy a delicious meal.

Simple to Make:

One of the reasons I think this rice is so famous is that it’s simple to make. You don’t need much time to make it, especially if the rice is already cooked a day before.

Flavorful Rice:

Despite the simple recipe, the rice is so flavorful. The garlic taste in the rice makes it a delicious addition to any meal.

Fewer Ingredients:

The best part about garlic fried rice is that you don’t need a lot of ingredients. Just rice, garlic, oil, and some seasoning.

Customisation:

Once it’s cooked, you can pair it with any dish. At Amber Restaurant, I always choose their famous Pork BBQ with it. Besides the pork BBQ, order orange juice, trust me, you’ll never forget the taste of this combination.

Let’s Make Garlic Fried Rice at Home

Before going further, there’s one thing I want to share: you don’t need to have leftover rice. You can always cook rice on the day you wish to eat garlic fried rice, but remember the taste is better with the leftover rice. Let’s learn about the secret:

Key-Ingredients:

4 to 5 cups of leftover rice
10 cloves of garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons butter
Spring onion (finely sliced)
Salt (according to your taste)
Pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

First, prepare the garlic for the cooking process by taking 10 cloves and mincing them.
Take a cooking pan (or a large wok), and add oil and butter to it, then turn on the stovetop to medium heat. The butter will give your rice extra flavour.
When you notice the oil is heated up, add all the garlic and fry until it’s golden brown.

I fry mine a little bit longer because I like my garlic crispy, so you can adjust the frying time according to your taste.
Take out a small quantity of garlic from the pan; you can use this for garnishing. Then add your leftover rice and keep stirring to make sure the rice is well coated in butter and oil. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes and add salt and pepper (optional) according to your taste. The garlic fried rice is ready to serve.
Serve the fried rice in a bowl with the garnish of fried garlic and spring onion. Enjoy!

Nutritional Profile

Although this rice recipe is not unhealthy, it’s still good to know about the calories. This is why I’ve added the details here:

Calories	Approximately 290 kcal
Proteins	4 grams
Fats	14 grams
Carbohydrates	36 grams
Fiber	0.5 grams
Sodium	220 mg

Frequently Asked Question’s

The dish you’re referring to is called “Sinangag” or Filipino garlic fried rice. It’s a beloved breakfast staple in the Philippines, often made using day-old rice sautéed with lots of garlic and sometimes onions, then paired with eggs, tapa, longganisa, or other fried meats.

Garlic fried rice, known locally as Sinangag, originated in the Philippines as a smart and delicious way to use up leftover rice. Over time, it became more than just a practical dish—it’s now a traditional part of the silog meals (like tapsilog or longsilog), showcasing the Filipino love for hearty, flavorful breakfasts.

While it’s possible to use freshly cooked rice, it’s not ideal. Fresh rice tends to be soft and moist, which can make the fried rice soggy or clumpy. Day-old rice that’s been refrigerated is drier, allowing it to fry up with a better texture and separate grains—giving you that classic, slightly crispy finish.

Long-grain white rice, like Jasmine rice, works best for garlic fried rice. It cooks up fluffy and separates easily, which is key for good texture. If you’re using leftover rice, make sure it’s been cooled and stored properly, as this helps eliminate excess moisture and enhances the dish’s texture when fried.

Conclusion

Garlic fried rice, which is also known as Sinangag, is more than just a side dish. It’s a compulsory part of every celebration, as well as Filipino cuisine. You can enjoy it in the morning, for lunch, or even at dinner with any side dish.

Moreover, it’s super easy to make, which is why people love to make this dish at home. Because with almost no money, you prepared rice at home. So what are you waiting for? Be sure to try this delicious rice at home whenever you have leftover rice.