National Fried Rice Day is a day that encourages everyone to order or make their favorite version of fried rice. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy pork, shrimp, beef, chicken, or some other form of this savory dish; this day is the day you’re going to want to enjoy it.

This is a holiday that’s observed on September 20th every year and one that’s best celebrated with friends and family. So why not make it a day out and head to a restaurant that serves this savory dish?

The History of National Fried Rice Day

This holiday was created in 2018 by Benihana—America’s first Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. The restaurant first opened in 1964 and now features over 70 restaurants. This restaurant serves a variety of different foods, including California rolls, steaks, shrimp, tuna rolls, Alaskan rolls, edamame, and of course, rice.

When they first introduced this holiday, they did so by breaking a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon.

The History of Fried Rice

Although the history of fried rice isn’t well documented, most historians believe that it dates back over 1,500 years. The earliest record of fried rice is in China during the Sui Dynasty near the end of the 6th century. This dish is believed to have started as a way to reuse leftover rice that would’ve otherwise been thrown away.

Facts About Benihana

Want some cool facts about Benihana to share on National Fried Rice Day? We thought you might, so we decided to round up some of the facts that we feel are the coolest about this restaurant chain.

Benihana Is Named After a Flower

Benihana is named after a coffee shop that founder Hiroaki Aoki’s parents owned in Tokyo, Japan. This coffee shop was named after one red flower that was growing out of the rubble following the bombing of Tokyo by the Allies during WWII. They called their coffee shop Benihana, the Japanese word for red safflower, which Hiroaki Aoki would also eventually use for his restaurant.

Hiroaki Aoki Began as a Wrestler

A fun fact about the owner of Benihana is that he was a wrestler who earned a spot on Japan’s 1960 Olympic Wrestling Team. He didn’t end up competing, however, and instead moved to the United States on a wrestling college scholarship. He won several titles during the 1960s. It was while he was wrestling that he studied restaurant management at New York City Technical College.

Observing National Fried Rice Day

Anyone looking to observe National Fried Rice Day can do so by visiting a restaurant that makes fried rice. This can be a Benihana or one of the many other restaurants that serve this savory dish. If you feel confident in your abilities to make this dish, you can also make your own fried rice at home.

And maybe if you make this dish very well, you can even share it with friends and family. While you’re enjoying fried rice, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalFriedRiceDay to let everyone know about this holiday.