Tofu Fried Rice

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Sesame + tofutop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together250 recipes

   Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).

2. Clove + gingertop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together6,038 recipes

   Shared aroma: estragole (anise, licorice).

3. Garlic + oniontop 1% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together29,058 recipes

   Shared aroma: furaneol (caramel, strawberry).

4. Sesame + oniontop 4% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together2,192 recipes

   Shared aroma: gamma-nonanolactone (coconut, sweet).

5. Sesame + gingertop 4% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together1,531 recipes

   Shared aroma: nonanal (fat, citrus).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Firm tofu

Provides protein-rich body and a chewy texture that holds up to frying.

Cooked brown rice

Forms the bulk of the dish; chilling it helps grains stay separate when fried.

Soy sauce

Adds salty, savory flavour that seasons the rice and vegetables.

Slivered almonds

Add crunch and nutty aroma when toasted.

Dark sesame oil

Carries heat for frying and adds a toasted sesame aroma.

The step that matters

Swap the peas

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (sesame, tofu, clove, garlic, ginger, mushroom, onion):

1. Cashew nutfits better
2. Chickpeafits better
3. Mung beanfits better
4. Peasthe original

Fit is the average pairing score against sesame, tofu, clove, garlic, ginger, mushroom, onion. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.