Japanese Beef Rice Bowl (Gyudon)

A century-old classic, this Japanese beef bowl pairs tender fatty beef and sweet onions in a savory glaze, topped with a luscious runny egg for ultimate comfort.

Ingredients

• 300 g thinly sliced fatty beef
• 0.5 white onion
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp oyster soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 0.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp starch
• to taste water
• to taste white sesame seeds
• to taste green onions

Instructions

1. 1Slice the onion

   

   Begin by slicing half of a white onion into thin strips on a wooden cutting board. Set the sliced onions aside as they will be used for stir-frying later.

   Tip: Ensure your knife is sharp to get even, thin slices which will cook uniformly in the pan.
2. 2Prepare the sauce

   

   In a small bowl, combine oyster soy sauce, mirin, dark soy sauce, white sugar, starch, and an appropriate amount of water. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create the savory sauce for the beef.

   Tip: Stir well to ensure the sugar and starch are completely dissolved so the sauce thickens evenly when cooked.
3. 3Prepare the hot spring egg

   

   Carefully place a whole pasteurized egg into a glass pot filled with 70-degree warm water. Cover the pot and let the egg soak for 10 minutes to achieve a perfect soft-boiled texture.

   Tip: Using a spoon to gently lower the egg prevents it from cracking against the bottom of the pot.
4. 4Stir-fry the onions

   

   Heat a little oil in a frying pan over the stove. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry them continuously with a wooden spatula until they become soft and translucent.

   Tip: Dont rush this step; cooking the onions until translucent releases their natural sweetness which balances the savory beef.
5. 5Add the fatty beef

   

   Once the onions are soft, add the raw, thinly sliced fatty beef into the pan. Fry the meat alongside the onions until both sides are lightly browned and fragrant.

   Tip: Choose good quality fatty beef slices for this dish, as the fat will render down and add a rich, milky aroma to the bowl.
6. 6Pour in the sauce

   

   Pour the previously prepared dark sauce mixture over the cooked beef and onions in the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.

   Tip: Stir the beef gently as the sauce thickens to ensure every piece is evenly coated with the rich flavor.
7. 7Simmer the beef and onions

   

   Allow the liquid to continue bubbling gently so the meat absorbs the savory flavors fully and the liquid reduces to a glossy glaze.

   Tip: Keep the heat steady so the liquid reduces without burning the tender meat slices.
8. 8Assemble the beef bowl

   

   Take a freshly prepared bowl of white rice and carefully spread the cooked saucy beef and onions evenly over the top, ensuring every bite of rice is complemented by the meat.

   Tip: Fluff your rice slightly before adding the beef to ensure a light texture.
9. 9Add the soft-boiled egg

   

   Take the egg that has been soaked in 70-degree warm water for 10 minutes and gently crack it directly onto the center of the beef and rice bowl.

   Tip: Be gentle when cracking the egg to ensure the delicate yolk remains intact for the perfect presentation.
10. 10Garnish the dish

    

    Sprinkle a generous amount of white sesame seeds and fresh chopped green onions over the meat and the soft-boiled egg to add texture and a pop of color.

    Tip: Fresh green onions provide a bright, sharp contrast to the rich, savory sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions