---
title: 'MSG vs. No MSG Fried Rice'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=SFzdQfnu1V0'
video_id: 'SFzdQfnu1V0'
date: 2026-08-09
duration_sec: 145
---

# MSG vs. No MSG Fried Rice

> Source: [MSG vs. No MSG Fried Rice](https://youtube.com/watch?v=SFzdQfnu1V0)

## Summary

In this video, the creator conducts a blind taste test comparing two identical fried rice dishes, one with MSG and one without, to see if the flavor enhancer makes a noticeable difference. The ingredients are sourced from the creator's garden, and the test is performed by a guest who is unaware of which dish contains MSG.

### Key Points

- **Setup of the Experiment** [00:02] — The creator prepares two identical fried rice dishes with the same ingredients, the only difference being the addition of MSG to one.
- **Ingredient Sourcing** [00:16] — Ingredients like snow peas, sprouting broccoli, onions, garlic, and carrots are harvested from the creator's garden, emphasizing freshness and homegrown produce.
- **Cooking Process** [00:42] — Both dishes are cooked with the same method, including frying eggs, adding vegetables, day-old rice, and seasonings like soy sauce and homemade vinegar.
- **MSG Addition** [01:24] — Half a teaspoon of MSG is added to one dish, and the creator notes the potential for a saltier taste, but the actual result is different.
- **Blind Taste Test** [01:37] — The guest correctly identifies the MSG dish, noting it tastes 'rounder' and more balanced, not saltier as expected.
- **Unexpected Outcome** [02:02] — The guest is surprised that the MSG dish doesn't taste saltier but has a meatier, more balanced flavor, leading to a preference for it.

### Conclusion

The video demonstrates that MSG enhances flavor without adding saltiness, providing a more balanced and savory taste, which challenges common misconceptions about MSG.

## Transcript

to make good egg fire rice? I made two of the exact same fried rice. One if Uncle Roger's right. All right, so I'm pretty sure that I can get all of minus the rice, from my garden. I'll grab some of these snow peas. That
should be enough. I've got a ton of sprouting broccoli, which stir fries onions. I'll definitely need a few of these. Same goes for the garlic. I'll take one of these. Starting to bulb up nice. In the greenhouse, I should have
some carrots. Yeah. Oh, yeah. That's a nice bunch. One last stop for fried need some of these. All right. So, I'm going to prep all of the ingredients and we'll make some fried rice. All right.
exactly the same amount of ingredients for two different fried rice dishes. The only difference will be the addition of MSG to one of them. All right, walk on. This is a homemade scallion ginger oil. I'll first fry up the eggs. slightly
undercooked. More oil. In with my onions, garlic, and carrots. And I'll season with a little salt. In with the broccoli and snow peas. In with the day old rice. In with the egg. This is some pmen vinegar from my cement trees that I
made. Three scoops. Two scoops soy sauce. And the no MSG fried rice is done. All right. So, this is the exact same fried rice. Add my soy sauce. Mix difference is the addition of I'm going
to start with half a teaspoon of MSG. I'll add just a little bit more and we're done. All right, Carly in for the blind taste test. Where do you want to start? I'll start here. I'll start there as well. Yummy. Good fried rice. Good
know that's the MSG. You think that's the MSG? Yeah. Am I wrong? You're wrong. Really? Yeah. No way. That's really Yeah. It tastes so much saltier though. Or maybe I'm just like assuming that the MSG is
going to be saltier when it's not. It's not. That's the thing. It's got a meteor. You taste that? Yeah. It's like rounder. You know what I mean? Like that. I'm like salt and this is like flavorful. I'm so surprised. Yeah. I
might have used a little bit more soy sauce in this accidentally. You can kind of tell by the color. Should have measured exactly. I just used spoon best. There's just like a meatiness.
like balance. I think that's what I mean by roundness. It's like more balanced. I for the win. I think I agree. But I might have oversalted this.