Costco Japanese Fried Rice Review - Pro Tips + Calories
Yakitori Chicken Japanese Style Fried Rice at Costco
Costco sells a 54-ounce box of Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice. The chicken fried rice can be found in Costco’s frozen food aisles near some of the other Asian items, such as the orange chicken and potstickers.
I like that each box of Costco’s chicken fried rice contains six 9-ounce bags and is ready to eat in 3 minutes. I think the convenience factor is great, and I always like to see “complete” frozen food meals.
Ajinomoto, the company that makes the fried rice, also sells a Tokyo-style ramen found in Costco’s frozen aisles.
Have You Tried Costco's Japanese Fried Rice?
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What is Japanese fried rice, and what is included in Costco's version?
I’m pretty familiar with fried rice, but I wasn’t exactly sure what differentiated Japanese fried rice from the more common Chinese fried rice. According to Masterclass.com, Japanese fried rice is different from the more traditional Chinese fried rice because of the use of short-grain rice. This leads to a softer, chewier texture compared to Chinese fried rice’s drier texture.
Each pack of Japanese-style fried rice includes rice, chicken white meat, soy sauce, carrots, leeks, bell peppers, edamame, corn, and onion. This is going to be an extremely flavorful dish!
Costco Cost Comparison
Costco sells the 6-pack of frozen chicken fried rice for $14.99. This breaks down to a cost of $2.50 per pack, which is quite reasonable considering this includes chicken and can be considered a full meal.
I couldn’t find this particular Ajinomoto chicken fried rice at any other major retailers to make a comparison, but at $2.50 per pack, it is similar in price to other frozen fried rice I’ve seen that does not include any chicken.
Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice Taste Test
After 2 bowls now, I found Ajinomoto’s Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice from Costco to deliver on flavor and I even thought it passed the texture test.
Frozen rice is always going to be tricky so I will give it some leeway, and as a whole, the meal is more than satisfactory for a super convenient frozen fried rice product.
The vegetable ingredients of the fried rice are fantastic. I enjoyed the carrots, bell peppers, corn, and edamame, with each vegetable bringing its own unique flavor and texture.
There were plenty of veggies present throughout the fried rice, and the medley of veggies also provided a rainbow of colors that really helped with the presentation.
The rice had a nice hint of sweetness and absorbed the savory soy sauce nicely. There was also a sufficient amount of chicken; however, the chicken pieces could have been a little more tender.
The chicken wasn’t too dry or inedible but wasn’t succulent either. Not bad for a frozen product, but the chicken also didn’t wow me.
How to Cook Costco’s Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice
Ajinomoto only recommends one heating method for their fried rice packs, and that is in the microwave. I do like that it is extremely convenient to heat the fried rice in the microwave.
I’m sure it’s fairly safe to heat the chicken fried in the bag that it comes with, and I may be a little paranoid, but I’m not a big fan of heating plastic. I would have liked a heating direction for this fried rice that didn’t involve the plastic bag.
How to Cook Costco’s Fried Rice
- Tear Open the Corner of the bag to vent before cooking.
- Place the bag into the microwave seam side up & cook on High for approximately 3 minutes or thoroughly to 165°F.
- Since the bag and product will be HOT, carefully remove them from the microwave while avoiding steam & completely tear the bag along the perforation.
- Carefully pour the cooked bag contents into a container and enjoy.
Presentation Instructions
- For an authentic Japanese restaurant-style presentation, please pour the cooked bag content into a small rice or soup bowl and firmly press down to pack. Place an inverted plate on top and flip over.
- Lift the bowl to release the rice & complete the presentation. Enjoy!
Costco Fried Rice Serving Suggestions and Improvement Ideas
Improvement Ideas
While the Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice from Costco is already quite tasty, here are a few ideas to help enhance the fried rice and take the dish to the next level.
- Customize the Spice: I love spicy food, so I like adding a sriracha or chili oil to the Costco fried rice. This will add a spicy kick and really make it so much more enjoyable.
- Fresh Vegetable Additions: While the chicken fried rice already contains vegetables, another quick way to personalize the dish and add nutritional value and texture is to add some freshly sautéed or steamed vegetables. Some of Costco’s frozen broccoli or edamame would be great additions, and would make the meal even more filling.
- Experiment with Sauces: While the soy sauce in the fried rice provides a savory flavor, you can experiment with other sauces to customize the taste. Try adding a splash of oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, or sesame oil for a little more oomph and authenticity.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving Costco’s Yakitori Chicken Japanese Style Fried Rice, there are a couple of options to enhance the experience and create a satisfying meal. The fried rice doesn’t just have to be a freezer food you pull out for a quick meal. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
- Pair it with a Fresh Salad: Serve the chicken fried rice alongside a crisp green salad or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. The fresh flavors and crunchy textures of the salad will complement the rich and savory fried rice while keeping the meal light.
- Add a Protein Boost: While the fried rice already contains chicken, you can enhance the protein content by adding additional grilled shrimp, sliced beef, or tofu. This will not only make the meal heartier but also add more variety to the flavors and textures.
- Top it with a Fried Egg: You can never go wrong adding more egg to fried rice. Place a fried egg on top of the chicken fried rice. The runny yolk will add a creamy richness to the dish and create a delicious contrast to the savory rice.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro or green onions on top of the fried rice just before serving. The vibrant flavors and bright colors of the herbs will enhance the overall presentation and add a burst of freshness.
Costco Fried Rice Calories and Nutrition
Each bag of chicken fried rice will be one serving and contain 420 calories. The 420 calories come from 8 grams of fat, 68 grams of carbs, and 19 grams of protein. The full nutritional profile is as follows.
This is an expected and standard nutritional label for fried rice. The carbs are on the higher end at 68 grams per serving, but the protein is actually respectable enough at 19 grams considering the meal that it is. I consider this to be a better than expected nutritional label for fried rice.
High Sodium
My biggest complaint with Costco’s chicken fried rice is the high amount of sodium in each serving.
Each bag will have 1080 mg of sodium which is 47% of the recommended daily value. Make sure to drink plenty of water when eating one of these fried rice bowls.
Costco Food Database User Reviews
Costco Japanese Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Bag Ajinomoto Japanese Fried Rice
Instructions
- Tear Open the Corner of the bag to vent before cooking.
- Place the bag into the microwave seam side up & cook on High for approximately 3 minutes or thoroughly to 165°F.
- Since the bag and product will be HOT, carefully remove them from the microwave while avoiding steam & completely tear the bag along the perforation.
- Carefully pour the cooked bag contents into a container and enjoy.
- Presentation Instructions
- For an authentic Japanese restaurant-style presentation, please pour the cooked bag content into a small rice or soup bowl and firmly press down to pack. Place an inverted plate on top and flip over.
- Lift the bowl to release the rice & complete the presentation. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Greg Larkin is the founder and managing editor of Costco Food Database, the premiere site for honest takes on all things Costco food. A self-proclaimed Costco super-fan since childhood, Greg turned his obsession in a mission to properly rate and review all of Costco’s delicious buys. When he’s not busy navigating Costco aisles, you can find Greg smoking Kirkland Signature meats, meal prepping, or perfecting his homemade jerky recipes.