Recipes→Japan→Oyakodon

Oyakodon

Parent and child bowl - tender chicken and fluffy egg simmered in a savory-sweet sauce, served over fluffy steamed rice. A comforting and classic Japanese dish.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings2
DifficultyEasy

πŸ§‚ Ingredients

  • 250 g Boneless, skinless chicken thigh(Cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm).)
  • 4 Large eggs(Lightly beaten in a bowl.)
  • 1/2 medium Yellow onion(Thinly sliced.)
  • 200 ml Dashi stock(Can substitute with chicken broth if dashi is unavailable.)
  • 3 tbsp Soy sauce(Japanese soy sauce preferred.)
  • 3 tbsp Mirin(Sweet Japanese rice wine.)
  • 1 tsp Sugar(Optional, for a touch more sweetness.)
  • 2 bowls Cooked Japanese short-grain rice(Steamed and hot.)
  • to taste Mitsuba or green onions(For garnish, finely chopped (optional).)

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³ Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the simmering sauce: In a small saucepan or a shallow skillet (about 20 cm in diameter), combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and optional sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
  2. 2

    Add the sliced onion to the sauce and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent.

    ⏱️ 4 minutes
  3. 3

    Add the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces to the simmering sauce. Ensure the chicken is submerged as much as possible. Cover the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface.

    ⏱️ 7 minutes
  4. 4

    Reduce the heat to low. Drizzle the lightly beaten eggs evenly over the chicken and onion mixture. Do not stir.

    ⏱️ 30 seconds
  5. 5

    Cover the pan again and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the eggs are *just* set but still soft and slightly runny in places. The residual heat will continue to cook them.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes
  6. 6

    Carefully slide the entire contents of the pan over a bowl of hot cooked rice. Garnish with chopped mitsuba or green onions, if desired.

    ⏱️ 1 minute

πŸ’‘ Pro Tips

  • βœ“The name 'Oyakodon' literally translates to 'parent-and-child rice bowl', referring to the chicken (parent) and egg (child).
  • βœ“For the best texture, the eggs should be cooked until just set, remaining moist and slightly creamy. Avoid overcooking.
  • βœ“Using chicken thigh ensures a tender and juicy result, as it has more fat than breast meat.
  • βœ“A traditional Japanese Oyakodon is cooked in a special oyako-nabe (a small, two-handled pan), but a regular small skillet works perfectly well.

πŸ”„ Variations

  • Add a few sprigs of mitsuba (Japanese parsley) during the last minute of cooking or as a garnish for a fresh, herbaceous note.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) before serving.
  • Some variations include adding shiitake mushrooms or snap peas for extra texture and flavor.

πŸ₯— Nutrition

Per serving

CaloriesApprox. 520 kcal per serving
ProteinApprox. 32g
CarbsApprox. 58g
FatApprox. 18g
FiberApprox. 2g

🏷️ Tags

Oyakodon Recipe - Japan | world.food