Fried rice with egg, broccoli and carrots.
Fried rice originated in China as a practical way to use leftover cooked rice, with records tracing back to the Sui Dynasty (589–618 CE). The technique spread throughout Southeast and East Asia, each region adapting it to local pantry staples — fish sauce in Thailand, shrimp paste in Indonesia, kimchi in Korea. The vegetable-forward version is common across all traditions and became a fixture in Chinese-American restaurants as a versatile, meatless option. Its universality makes it one of the most ordered dishes globally.