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Japanese Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Gyudon, or Japanese Beef Bowl, is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Thinly sliced beef and onions are simmered in a sweet-savory sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and sake, then served over a bed of steamed rice. Topped with a poached egg and garnished with spring onions and optional pickled ginger, this dish is both comforting and satisfying. With minimal prep and cook time, Gyudon is an excellent choice for anyone craving Japanese flavors at home.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:05:14 GMT
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Bring the flavors of Japan to your table with Gyudon, a comforting Japanese Beef Bowl that’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying. This dish features tender beef slices and onions simmered in a sweet-savory sauce, served over rice and topped with a silky poached egg.

INGREDIENTS
  • Thinly Sliced Beef: 14 oz (ribeye, chuck, or sirloin for tenderness)
  • Onion: 1 medium, sliced for a sweet base
  • Vegetable Oil: 1 tbsp, for sautéing
  • Ginger: 1 tsp grated or paste, for aromatic flavor
  • Soy Sauce: 3 tbsp, for the sauce
  • Mirin: 2 tbsp, for sweetness
  • Sake: 1 tbsp, for depth of flavor
  • Brown Sugar: 2 tbsp, for a sweet balance
  • Steamed Rice: To serve as the base
  • Poached Eggs: 2, for a rich topping
  • Spring Onions: Sliced, for garnish
  • Japanese Red Pickled Ginger: Optional, for a tangy contrast
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1:
Freeze the beef for 1.5-2 hours to firm it slightly, then slice it into thin strips for easy cooking.
Step 2:
In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Step 3:
Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
Step 4:
Stir in the beef slices and grated ginger. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.
Step 5:
Pour in the prepared sauce and stir well. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 6:
Serve the beef and onion mixture over a bed of steamed rice. Top with a poached egg, sliced spring onions, and pickled ginger if desired.
Serving and Storage Tips
  • Gyudon is best served fresh and warm for the most flavorful experience.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan before serving.
Helpful Notes
  • For extra flavor, drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil before serving.
  • If you don’t have sake, substitute with a bit of dry white wine or omit entirely.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Hiro recommends using dashi stock instead of water for a more authentic taste.
  • Chef Aya suggests adding a touch of yuzu kosho for a citrusy, spicy kick.
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Japanese Beef Bowl (Gyudon) | recipesbyclare.com

Japanese Beef Bowl

Tender beef and onions simmered in a sweet-savory sauce, served over rice and topped with a poached egg. A comforting Japanese classic!

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Japanese

Yield: 2 Servings (2 Japanese Beef Bowls)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 14 oz Thinly Sliced Beef (ribeye, chuck, or sirloin).
02 1 Medium Onion (sliced).
03 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil.
04 1 tsp Ginger (grated or paste).
05 3 tbsp Soy Sauce (for the sauce).
06 2 tbsp Mirin (for the sauce).
07 1 tbsp Sake (for the sauce).
08 2 tbsp Brown Sugar (for the sauce).
09 Steamed Rice (to serve).
10 2 Poached Eggs (to serve).
11 Spring Onions (sliced, to serve).
12 Japanese Red Pickled Ginger (optional, to serve).

Instructions

Step 01

Freeze the beef for 1.5-2 hours to firm it slightly, then slice it into thin strips.

Step 02

In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves to create the sauce.

Step 03

Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté until soft and translucent.

Step 04

Add the sliced beef and ginger to the pan. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.

Step 05

Pour in the prepared sauce, stir well, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 06

Serve the beef mixture over steamed rice. Top with a poached egg, sliced spring onions, and pickled ginger if desired.

Notes

  1. Gyudon is a comforting Japanese dish of tender beef and onions simmered in a sweet-savory sauce.
  2. The dish is traditionally served over steamed rice and topped with a poached egg for a complete meal.
  3. Optional toppings like pickled ginger add extra flavor and authenticity.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~