One of the best uses for leftover rice is fried rice.cooked rice mixed with a variety of vegetables, meat, or seafood and sometimes egg and fried in a hot pan. There are infinite variations of fried rice depending upon the meat, seafood, and vegetables used in it. It is often served as the last dish at a Chinese banquet, but also makes a great snack, side dish, or light lunch entr?? Thai versions of fried rice tend to be more substantial and are often served as a main dish. Using cold rice is key to making great fried rice. It is believed to be a specialty of the Yangzhou and Fukien regions of China.