Image provided by creator.
St. Louis is known for many things—great BBQ, rich music history, and of course, its own spin on fried rice that locals swear by. Unlike your typical takeout, St. Louis style fried rice brings a bold, savory, and smoky flavor that keeps people coming back for more. Packed with chicken, shrimp, egg, and a flavorful sauce blend, this dish delivers that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami.
What sets this fried rice apart is its unique preparation style that’s been passed down through kitchens in St. Louis for generations. Thanks to the viral influence of content creators like Cooking With Mr. Cooper, many home cooks across the country are now trying their hand at this regional classic. Whether you’ve tasted it before or you’re diving in for the first time, this St. Louis fried rice recipe is the perfect place to start.
Ingredients (What You Need)
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cooked jasmine or long-grain rice (preferably day-old)
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons mushroom soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon hot oil (chili oil or your preferred heat level)
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon MSG (optional but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Proteins
Season the diced chicken breast and shrimp lightly with salt and black pepper. In a large skillet, cook the chicken until fully cooked through and slightly browned. Remove and set aside. Then cook the shrimp in the same pan until pink and opaque, then remove.
2. Scramble the Eggs
In a wok or large skillet, heat a little oil and scramble the beaten eggs until cooked. Remove the eggs from the wok and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics
Add cooking oil to the wok and heat over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Then stir in the bean sprouts and cook until slightly softened.
4. Add the Rice
Add your cooked rice to the wok. Using your spatula, break up any clumps and mix the rice thoroughly with the aromatics.
5. Build the Sauce
Pour in the mushroom soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and hot oil. Stir well to coat the rice evenly. Sprinkle in the white pepper, MSG (if using), and sugar. Stir to incorporate the seasonings thoroughly.
6. Combine Everything
Add the scrambled eggs, cooked chicken, and shrimp back into the wok. Toss everything together until fully combined and heated through.
7. Garnish and Serve
Top the fried rice with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy the bold, savory flavors that make St. Louis style fried rice so legendary.
Image provided by creator.
About the Chef/Creator
This recipe is inspired by content creator Cooking With Mr. Cooper, whose St. Louis fried rice tutorial on Instagram has gone viral for capturing the unique flavor profile of this regional favorite. Check out more of his delicious recipes and cooking tips on Instagram: Cooking With Mr. Cooper on Instagram.
Watch Video
Watch the full video on Instagram here.