Gapao Rice ガパオライス • Just One Cookbook

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Recipe Highlights

Gapao Rice is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something fast, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. This Japanese version keeps the bold garlic, chilis, and basil while using ingredients that are easy to find in everyday kitchens. Served over Japanese short-grain rice with a fried egg on top, it becomes a comforting weeknight meal that feels both exciting and familiar.

• Quick one-pan dish
• Big flavor from simple ingredients
• Perfect with a fried egg and hot rice

If you love rice bowl meals, try my Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi, Oyakodon, and Gyudon recipes next!

Table of Contents

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What is Gapao Rice?

Gapao Rice (ガパオライス) is the Japanese name for the Thai dish pad krapao (phat kaphrao), a basil stir-fry served over steamed rice and topped with a fried egg. In Thai, kaphrao refers to holy basil.

The original pronunciation includes consonant sounds like “kr” that do not exist in Japanese, and over time kaphrao was simplified to “gapao” when adapted into Japanese.

The name “Gapao Rice” is used mainly in Japan and reflects how this Thai street food was introduced and adapted for Japanese home cooking.

Ingredients for Gapao Rice

• ground pork – You can substitute with other ground meat or tofu crumbles.
• onion
• red bell pepper
• bird’s eye chili (Thai chili) – A good substitute is serrano peppers.
• garlic
• basil leaves – Ideally, holy basil; Italian basil is close in flavor.
• neutral oil
• seasonings – soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water
• fried eggs
• cooked Japanese short-grain rice

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

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How to Make Gapao Rice

1. Prep the ingredients. Mix the sauce ingredients. Dice the onion and red bell pepper. Slice the bird’s eye chili and mince the garlic.

2. Sauté the aromatics. Preheat a frying pan over medium heat. Add neutral oil, then sauté the chili and garlic briefly until fragrant.

3. Cook the pork and vegetables. Add the ground meat and break it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Then add the bell pepper and cook until tender.

4. Season and simmer. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Stir and simmer until the sauce reduces slightly.

5. Add basil and serve. Turn off the heat and add the basil leaves. Divide the rice onto plates and spoon the pork mixture on top. Add a fried egg and garnish with basil.

Nami’s Recipe Tips

These simple tips will help you make Gapao Rice perfectly every time.

• Sauté briefly. Cook the chili and garlic just until fragrant so they don’t burn.

• Break up the pork well. Small crumbles cook evenly and absorb the sauce better.

• Cook vegetables in stages. Add the onion first, then the bell pepper. Don’t overcook them as you continue to stir fry.

• Let the sauce reduce. Simmer until slightly thickened so it coats the pork and concentrates the flavor.

• Add basil off the heat. This keeps its fresh aroma and prevents it from overcooking.

• Serve immediately. A bed of hot rice plus a freshly fried egg tastes best.

Variations and Customizations

Looking to change things up? Try these easy and tasty ideas!

• Use ground chicken. Swap the pork for ground chicken if you prefer a lighter option. Use tofu crumbles for a plant-based version.

• Substitute serrano peppers. If you can’t find bird’s eye chilis, use serrano peppers. For a milder dish, remove most or all of the seeds.

• Serve over a different base. Spoon the holy basil stir-fry over jasmine rice or brown rice instead of Japanese short-grain white rice.

• Make lettuce wraps. Serve the basil pork in crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, low-carb option.

• Add extra vegetables. Increase the onion or bell pepper for more texture and color.

What to Serve with Gapao Rice

Gapao Rice is a simple meal in itself, but you can add simple sides to create more balance.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To store: Transfer the pork and rice into separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 3–4 weeks.

To reheat: Warm the pork and rice until heated through. Fry fresh eggs before serving.

FAQs

Is Gapao Rice spicy?

Yes. Gapao Rice is typically spicy because it uses bird’s eye chilis. You can reduce the heat by using fewer green chilis or removing most or all of the seeds, or substituting serrano peppers.

Can I use regular Italian basil instead of holy basil for Gapao Rice?

Yes. Holy basil (tulsi) is traditional, but Italian basil tastes most similar and works well in this recipe. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious. Thai basil has a sweeter, more anise-like flavor, so for this dish, Italian basil is actually the closest substitute.

Can I use ground chicken instead of pork in Thai basil pork?

Yes. You can substitute ground chicken for ground pork. The cooking method and seasonings remain the same.

I’d love to hear how yours turned out! 💛 Please leave a star rating and comment below to share your experience. Your feedback not only supports Just One Cookbook but also helps other home cooks discover recipes they can trust.

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To Prep the Ingredients

• Mix the 1½ Tbsp soy sauce, ½ Tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tsp fish sauce, 1½ tsp sugar, and 2 Tbsp water in a small bowl. Set aside.

• Cut ½ onion into 1/2-inch slices, then cut crosswise to dice.

• Cut ¼ red bell pepper into ½-inch strips, then cut crosswise to dice.

• Slice 1–2 bird’s eye chili (Thai chili) and remove most of the seeds. Mince 3 cloves garlic now, or add it directly into the frying pan later using a garlic press, as I did.

Variations and Customizations
Looking to change things up? Try these easy and tasty ideas!

• Use ground chicken. Swap the pork for ground chicken if you prefer a lighter option. Use tofu crumbles for a plant-based version.
• Substitute serrano peppers. If you can’t find bird’s eye chilis, use serrano peppers. For a milder dish, remove most or all of the seeds.
• Serve over a different base. Spoon the holy basil stir-fry over jasmine rice or brown rice instead of Japanese short-grain rice.
• Make lettuce wraps. Serve the basil pork in crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, low-carb option.
• Add extra vegetables. Increase the onion or bell pepper for more texture and color.

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