Gyudon
Gyudon is a comforting rice bowl of tender simmered beef and sweet onion glazed in a light dashi-soy sauce. Finished with bright pickled red ginger, it is savory, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying while remaining quick enough for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Rice bowl base
- 300 g cookedJapanese short-grain rice
- 30 mlwater
Beef and onion simmer
- 200 gthinly sliced beef
- 120 gonion
- 120 mldashi
- 30 mlsoy sauce
- 30 mlmirin
- 6 gsugar
To finish
- 20 gpickled red ginger
Instructions
- 1
Slice the onion into thin half-moons. If the beef is not already very thin, separate the slices so they cook evenly. Have the cooked rice ready to reheat if needed.
- 2
Place the cooked rice in a microwave-safe bowl with the water, cover loosely, and heat until hot and fluffy, about 1 minute. Divide between 2 serving bowls.
- 3
In a medium frying pan, combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a brisk simmer over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves.
- 4
Add the onion and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it begins to soften but still keeps some shape. This gives the bowl the classic sweet-savory onion texture.
- 5
Add the thinly sliced beef, spreading it out so it does not clump. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until the beef is just cooked and tender. Skim off any foam if desired for a cleaner-tasting sauce; do not boil hard or the beef may toughen.
- 6
Spoon the beef, onion, and some of the simmering broth over the rice. Top each bowl with pickled red ginger and serve immediately.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a true 15-minute version, use pre-cooked or leftover rice; freshly cooking rice will add significant time.
- •If available, use ribeye or chuck sliced very thin for the best balance of tenderness and flavor.
- •A few spoonfuls of broth over the rice is traditional, but do not flood the bowl or the rice will become mushy.
- •You can add a softly cooked onsen egg if desired, though it is not essential for a classic beginner version.
Background
Gyudon is a classic Japanese donburi that became popular in the late 19th century as beef eating spread in Japan during the Meiji era. It is closely associated with fast, affordable restaurant chains and home cooking, where thin beef and onion are simmered in a lightly sweet soy-based broth and served over rice.
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