Gyudon
Japanese Beef Bowl
A classic Japanese comfort food featuring thinly sliced beef and sweet onions simmered in a savory-sweet soy-based sauce, served generously over fluffy steamed rice. Often topped with a soft-cooked or raw egg for added richness.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Beef sirloin or ribeye(Very thinly sliced (about 1-2mm thick). If slicing yourself, partially freeze the beef for easier slicing. Pre-sliced beef for shabu-shabu or sukiyaki is ideal.)
- 1 large Yellow onion(Peeled and thinly sliced pole-to-pole (about 3-5mm thick).)
- 200 ml Dashi stock(Homemade or instant dashi powder dissolved in water.)
- 60 ml Soy sauce(Use Japanese soy sauce for best flavor.)
- 60 ml Mirin(Sweet Japanese rice wine. If unavailable, substitute with dry sherry and an extra teaspoon of sugar.)
- 2 tbsp Granulated sugar(Adjust to taste.)
- 4 cups Japanese short-grain rice(Cooked according to package directions. Keep warm.)
- 4 Eggs(For serving. Can be served raw, poached, or soft-boiled (onsen tamago style).)
- for serving Beni shoga (pickled red ginger)(Essential for authentic Gyudon flavor and texture.)
- for serving Optional garnishes(Shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend), chopped scallions.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the simmering liquid: In a medium saucepan or skillet, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
⏱️ 1 minute - 2
Add the sliced onions to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onions have softened and become translucent, absorbing some of the sauce's flavor.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 3
Add the thinly sliced beef to the simmering liquid, spreading it out in a single layer as much as possible. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, or just until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface.
⏱️ 3-5 minutes - 4
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. If it's too salty, add a splash more water or dashi. If not savory enough, add a touch more soy sauce. The sauce should be a balance of sweet and savory.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Assemble the bowls: Divide the warm cooked rice among four individual serving bowls. Spoon the beef and onion mixture, along with a generous amount of the simmering sauce, over the rice.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Serve immediately. Top each bowl with a raw egg, a poached egg, or a soft-boiled egg. Garnish with a mound of pickled red ginger (beni shoga) and optional shichimi togarashi or chopped scallions.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For the best texture, ensure the beef is sliced extremely thin. Partially freezing it makes this much easier.
- ✓Avoid overcooking the beef, as it can become tough. Cook it just until it changes color.
- ✓The traditional topping is a raw egg yolk or a whole raw egg, but a soft-poached egg (onsen tamago) or a gently cooked egg is also delicious and safer for some.
- ✓Taste and adjust the sauce before adding the beef. The sweetness and saltiness can be customized to your preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add sautéed mushrooms or shirataki noodles along with the beef.
- Incorporate kimchi for a spicy kick.
- Add extra sliced onions for a more pronounced onion flavor.
- Top with a drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise.