Omurice (Omelet Rice) with Baek Jong-won’s Special Sauce
Omurice (Omelet Rice) with Baek Jong-won’s Special Sauce
Restaurant-Quality Omurice at Home: The Secret is in the Rich, Homemade Sauce!
Tired of plain ketchup on your omurice? Elevate your home cooking with this incredible recipe featuring a rich, savory sauce that rivals any restaurant! This dish is perfect for using up those leftover vegetables in your fridge. It’s a delightful combination of flavorful fried rice, a tender omelet, and a tangy-sweet sauce that everyone will love.
For the Fried Rice- 1 bowl cooked rice
- 1 handful green peas (cooked)
- 50g smoked ham (finely diced)
- 1/6 onion (finely minced)
- A small amount of carrot (finely minced)
- A small amount of chives (chopped)
- 1/6 zucchini (finely minced)
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of parsley flakes (for garnish)
For the Special Sauce- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (Japanese soy sauce seasoned base) or soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 cup (200ml) water
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (Japanese soy sauce seasoned base) or soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 cup (200ml) water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the star of our omurice: the special sauce! In a small saucepan, combine 1 Tbsp cooking oil and 1 Tbsp flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly. This step is similar to making a roux for soup.
Step 2
Continue to stir the mixture gently, allowing it to toast until it reaches a light brown color. Be very careful, as flour can burn quickly. Maintaining a low heat is key to achieving the perfect nutty flavor without burning.
Step 3
Once the mixture is fragrant and has a light brown hue, gradually pour in 1 cup (200ml) of water. Whisk vigorously with a whisk or spatula to ensure there are no lumps and the roux is completely dissolved.
Step 4
Now, add 2 Tbsp mentsuyu for a rich umami flavor (if you don’t have mentsuyu, regular soy sauce can be used as a substitute), 2 Tbsp ketchup for sweetness and tang, and 1 Tbsp sugar for a balanced sweetness. Stir well to combine everything.
Step 5
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency. As it cooks, you’ll notice it transform into a rich, deep brown color, reminiscent of classic Western-style demi-glace sauces.
Step 6
Once the sauce has reached the perfect thickness, stir in 1 Tbsp of vinegar. This brightens up the flavors and adds a pleasant tang. And just like that, your delicious homemade omurice sauce is ready!
Step 7
Now, let’s prepare the fried rice filling. Finely mince the onion, carrot, zucchini, and ham. Chop the chives as well. Feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand, like bell peppers or mushrooms.
Step 8
In a separate bowl, crack the 2 eggs and whisk them lightly with a pinch of salt. Ensure the eggs are well beaten for a smooth and tender omelet.
Step 9
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-low heat. Add all the minced vegetables and ham. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
Step 10
Add the handful of cooked green peas to the sautéed vegetables and mix well. The peas add a lovely pop of color and texture to the filling.
Step 11
Add the bowl of warm cooked rice to the pan with the vegetables and peas. Gently toss and stir with a spatula, breaking up any clumps of rice, until everything is well combined and the rice is heated through. Season lightly with salt. Since the sauce is already flavorful, we only need a subtle seasoning for the rice itself.
Step 12
Prepare another non-stick pan and lightly grease it. Heat it over low heat. Carefully pour the beaten eggs into the hot pan, spreading them thinly to form a round omelet shape. Avoid making the omelet too thick, as it will be harder to fold later.
Step 13
As the edges of the omelet begin to set but the center is still slightly runny, carefully spoon the prepared fried rice onto the center of the omelet. Shape the rice into an oval, adjusting the amount based on the size of your omelet.
Step 14
Time to shape your omurice! Gently tilt the pan and use a spatula to carefully fold the sides of the omelet over the fried rice, creating the classic folded shape. You can also gently nudge the sides to enclose the rice, like tucking in a baby.
Step 15
Once the shape is formed, carefully slide the omurice from the pan onto a warm serving plate. Be gentle to maintain its shape.
Step 16
Finally, generously ladle the special sauce over the top of the omurice. A ladle helps to distribute the sauce smoothly. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley flakes and a few green peas for a beautiful presentation. Your delicious homemade omurice is ready to be enjoyed!
