It is impossible to imagine Puerto Rican gastronomy without the arroz chino boricua, a delicious homemade dish born in the Caribbean under the sway of the oriental cuisine that has influenced Latin food so much. The island version breaks the traditional recipe and adds local ingredients to be served with good steak or pepper chicken. If you are one of those who love to taste the different types of arroz chino, you will love to know Puerto Rico’s presentation and how they have achieved their particular flavor. Take note!
Arroz chino boricua: the tasty seasoning of the island
Few Puerto Rican recipes are inherited from its Amerindian or Taino roots, most come from other cultural integrations that the island has experienced over the years. One of the biggest influences is Asian.
The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Puerto Rico in the 19th century, and when they did, they decided to make a living by fusing some of their traditional dishes with local flavors. The result was overwhelming popularity. There are currently more than 600 Chinese restaurants on the island, more than any other fast food establishment, which have also adopted Puerto Rican menus such as mofongo with steak.
The mix has created a unique fusion of flavors, with the star dish being the arroz chino. Today, it is not uncommon to order arroz chino boricua rice accompanied by peppered chicken or tostones, achieving a quite specific flavor.
The variation that the country presents has ham, shrimp, scrambled eggs and cutlet, although some choose to add different types of meat. The result is salty with a slightly sweet touch.
Another very marked difference between the arroz chino de Puerto Rico and other versions is that it is usually served as a side dish with pepper steak as an accompaniment, but you can also choose whether to serve it with pepper chicken, fried chicken or roast pork.
Chinese rice with unique flavor and texture
Puerto Rican style Chinese rice can be prepared at home without any problem, its ingredients are easily available in any market and, following this recipe, you will also get its particular flavor. Its ideal cooking time is 40 minutes for four people portions.
This dish has earned the name “homemade” from being served so often in homes, although it is easy to find in the daily menu of any restaurant, after all, it will only take 45 minutes to make.
Before heating up your wok, remember: no recipe is written in stone. You can add different types of meat and opt for the variations you like the most of the arroz chino boricua. Now let’s get started!
Arroz chino de Puerto Rico: Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked rice (preferably from the day before)
- 20 ml vegetable oil.
- 50 gr of scallions.
- 100 gr of diced ham.
- 2 cloves of garlic or to taste.
- 50 gr peas.
- 50 gr carrots
- 2 eggs
- Cooked rice to taste.
- Mini shrimps to taste.
- Chopped lettuce.
- Soy sauce.
Ready in minutes and serve!
- The first step is to pour oil in the wok and wait for it to heat up. Once it gets hot, add the ham and the chopped scallions. Note: if you don’t have a wok, you can use any other pan, just make sure to stir the ingredients well so they don’t brown too much.
- When you see it fried, add the two cloves of garlic, the chopped carrot and the peas. Be sure to stir everything well.
- Move the sautéed ingredients to one side of the pan, then pour in the egg and wait for it to cook. Stir everything once it is ready.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cover until cooked through.
- As a final step, add the chopped lettuce and stir once more.
- At this point, add the rice and sauté until everything is well mixed.
- Serve in generous portions and don’t forget to add soy sauce to taste. Enjoy!
If you are passionate about Chinese rice, try the Peruvian chifa!
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Chinese rice has many versions, depending on the country where it is prepared or even the restaurant. One of the most popular is chaufa rice, the Peruvian adaptation of the delicious Chinese fried rice and the best known specialty of the chifa gastronomic culture.
Although this delicious dish is prepared every day in Peruvian homes, for a long time it was the great secret of our country, just opening to the international menu of great chifa restaurants that have left our land to be known in the world.
It is usually prepared with eggs, chicken or beef, red pepper, Chinese onion, soy sauce, aji panca and pisco, creating a dish with mixed flavors that has reached the largest cities in the world, such as Miami. Not in vain, Peru manages to be one of the most important culinary destinations in the world!
Are you in Miami? Try the arroz chaufa from Chifa Du Kang
Do you dare to know the best kept gastronomic secret of Peru? Chifa Du Kang is a direct passport to exotic Peruvian cuisine from Miami. We have authentic Chinese-Peruvian fusion dishes that you will love and enjoy with your family.
We expand our tradition to the whole world from Kendall Dr and Bird Road, come and see our menu! We are masters in the preparation of Peruvian lomo saltado, tipakay chicken, as well as other dishes that are part of this remarkable blend of flavors.
