Japanese Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gyudon is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender beef, savory soy sauce, mirin, and sake with the sweetness of onions and a poached egg topping. It’s an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or when you want to enjoy a bowl of hearty Japanese cuisine. Plus, it’s easily customizable, allowing you to adapt it with different meats or rice variations.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 400 g Beef (half frozen steak cut)

• 1 Onion (medium size)

• 1 tbsp Oil (vegetable or neutral flavor oil)

• 1 tsp Ginger (finely grated or paste)

For the Sauce:

• 3 tbsp Soy sauce (all-purpose or light soy sauce)

• 2 tbsp Mirin (rice wine or dry sherry)

• 1 tbsp Sake (sake or rice wine)

• 2 tbsp Sugar (brown or white)

For Topping:

• 2 Poached eggs

• Spring onions (for garnish)

• Japanese ginger pickle (for garnish)

Directions

1. Freeze the beef for 1.5 to 2 hours to make slicing easier. Cut it into very thin slices.

2. Slice the onion and spring onion into thin slices.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar for the sauce.

4. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened.

5. Add the beef slices and ginger paste, and cook until the beef is no longer pink.

6. Pour the sauce over the beef mixture and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

7. Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped spring onions on top.

8. Serve over a bowl of steamed rice, topped with a poached egg and pickled ginger.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 2

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian Option: Replace beef with thinly sliced tofu or seitan for a plant-based version.

• Meat Options: Try using chicken slices for a variation like Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken Rice Bowl).

• Rice Substitutes: While short-grain Japanese rice is ideal, you can use jasmine rice or even brown rice for a healthier option.

Storage/Reheating

• Store leftover gyudon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

• Reheat by microwaving or reheating in a pan over low heat. Be sure to add a little water to the pan to prevent the rice from drying out.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen beef for Gyudon?

Yes, freezing the beef slightly makes it easier to slice thinly, which is key to this recipe.

2. What is the best beef cut for Gyudon?

Ribeye, chuck, or sirloin are great choices for Gyudon, as they can be sliced thinly and cook quickly.

3. Can I make Gyudon without sake or mirin?

You can substitute sake with dry sherry or rice wine, and use a mixture of sugar syrup and rice vinegar as a mirin substitute.

4. What is an Onsen egg?

An Onsen egg is a Japanese poached egg, traditionally cooked at low temperature for a silky texture. For this recipe, a simple poached egg is used instead.

5. What type of rice is best for Gyudon?

Japanese short-grain rice is ideal, but you can also use jasmine rice or brown rice depending on your preference.

6. Can I make Gyudon ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beef and sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat and serve with fresh rice and egg.

7. Can I use chicken instead of beef?

Yes, for a chicken version, you can use thinly sliced chicken breast or thighs.

8. What can I serve Gyudon with?

Gyudon is great with pickled ginger and a poached egg, but you can also serve it with miso soup or a side salad.

9. Can I use any soy sauce for this recipe?

Yes, all-purpose soy sauce or light soy sauce will work, but Japanese soy sauce like Kikkoman adds an authentic flavor.

10. Is Gyudon spicy?

No, this dish isn’t spicy unless you add chili or hot sauce. The flavors are more sweet and savory.

Conclusion

Gyudon is an easy, delicious, and comforting Japanese dish that’s perfect for a quick meal. With tender beef, savory sauce, and the rich topping of a poached egg, it’s a recipe you’ll love to make time and time again. Whether you’re craving a taste of Japan or simply need a satisfying meal, Gyudon fits the bill perfectly.