No Chinese takeaway on ChineseTakeaway.co.uk has added special fried rice to its menu with us yet. Many takeaways haven’t added their menus, so search near you to see the Chinese takeaways closest to you.
The meaning of special
Chicken, char siu pork and prawns are familiar additions, often accompanied by peas and spring onion. A kitchen may use only some of these, or add a different combination. Read any ingredient description rather than assuming that the same dish name means the same contents at another takeaway.
House special fried rice can mean a mixed fried rice, but some menus use it for rice topped with meat and vegetables in sauce. That produces a quite different meal. If you want separate, lightly coated grains rather than a saucy topping, ask which version the kitchen prepares.
Rice, egg and the final stir-fry
The rice is generally cooked before being stir-fried, allowing it to firm up enough to separate in the wok. Egg, small pieces of meat and vegetables are distributed through the grains. Soy sauce or other seasonings may be added, but neither a dark colour nor a strong soy flavour is compulsory.
The appeal is the contrast between the rice and its small additions: a sweet edge from roast pork, a springy prawn, or a soft piece of scrambled egg. Good separation does not mean the rice should feel hard. It should still be tender enough to eat comfortably alongside another dish.
Building an order around it
Because it already contains several ingredients, special fried rice works as a substantial centre to an order. Pair it with vegetables or a sauce-led dish if you want contrasting textures. If your main course already includes several meats, simpler egg fried rice may give you a clearer balance of flavours.
Check the contents before requesting exclusions, particularly if you avoid pork or shellfish. Removing visible prawns does not remove traces from sauces or shared equipment. Recipes vary, and the takeaway should confirm the ingredients, sauce labels and preparation arrangements for any allergy or dietary requirement rather than leaving you to infer them. If you are sharing, keep serving spoons separate and retain the labelled containers so everyone can identify their dish; this is useful organisation, not a substitute for confirmed allergy-safe preparation.
Key Ingredients
Typical ingredients; every kitchen has its own recipe.
- Rice
- Egg
- Chicken
- Char siu pork
- Prawns
- Peas
- Soy sauce
- Spring onion
Allergens and Dietary Information
Commonly contains or may contain: Egg, Crustaceans, Soya, Gluten (wheat).
It commonly contains mixed meats and shellfish and is unlikely to be vegetarian, so confirm the particular recipe and any dietary requirements with the takeaway.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between restaurants. Always check directly with the takeaway before ordering if you have a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.
What Goes Well With Special Fried Rice?
Find Special Fried Rice at Takeaways Near You
Enter your postcode to see Chinese takeaways on ChineseTakeaway.co.uk whose menus list special fried rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does special fried rice always contain prawns?
Prawns are a common addition, but not a guarantee. If you need to avoid crustaceans, ask about both the rice mixture and sauces, as an ingredient list on a short menu may be incomplete.
Is special fried rice spicy?
It is generally savoury rather than chilli-hot. A Singapore-style or chilli variation may be different, so check the full menu name and ask whether chilli is added.
How is it different from egg fried rice?
Egg fried rice is normally a simpler mixture centred on rice and egg. Special fried rice adds a selection of other ingredients, making the contents less predictable and usually bringing more varied flavours and textures.
Photos are illustrative, not a particular takeaway’s dish. Guide written by ChineseTakeaway.co.uk, last reviewed 11 November 2026.
