Gyudon
Gyudon
Gyudon is Japan's most popular quick weekday meal, a bowl of hot steamed rice topped with thinly sliced beef and soft, sweet onions simmered together in a light sauce of dashi, soy sauce and mirin. The name translates simply as beef bowl, and it delivers exactly what that description promises: a deeply satisfying, uncomplicated combination that can be prepared in under fifteen minutes and that consistently provides the kind of comfort that a meal eaten in a hurry rarely achieves. Gyudon chains like Yoshinoya and Matsuya are fixtures of Japanese city life, but the homemade version is easy to produce and noticeably better.
The key to good gyudon is the beef: it should be sliced paper-thin, which allows it to cook in seconds and soak up the seasoning rapidly. Japanese butchers routinely produce this cut, known as gyudon-you or usugiri, and it is also available in frozen form from Japanese grocery stores. The sauce should be made with proper dashi rather than water, even a quick one made from Hondashi granules is significantly better than plain water, and the ratio of soy to mirin determines the flavour balance. A little sake adds depth and removes any remaining meatiness from the broth.
The equipment required is minimal. A medium saucepan or skillet, a rice cooker or regular pot for the rice, and a set of donburi rice bowls for serving are sufficient. The donburi bowl matters more than it might seem, its depth keeps the rice warm under the topping and its wide mouth allows the ingredients to be arranged properly.
A shichimi togarashi chilli blend on the side is the standard finishing touch in Japan.
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Serve in our donburi bowls and use a quality saucepan for the broth.
Showing 21 products
AVAILABILITY: In stock (2 items)
Tsubamesanjo Stainless Steel Chopsticks are precision-crafted chopsticks from Japan's Tsubame-Sanjo metalwork region - renowned for producing some of the world's finest stainless steel cutlery and kitchenware. Region of Origin Tsubamesanjo, Japan 🇯🇵 In the Box 1 Pair of Premium Metal...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (491 items)
Sori Yanagi Kitchen Tongs are iconic Japanese stainless steel tongs designed by legendary industrial designer Sori Yanagi - a perfectly balanced, ergonomic tool that reflects the same design philosophy as his famous butterfly stool. Designer Sori Yanagi (柳宗理) Product Type...
AVAILABILITY: Out of Stock
Kanagawa Rice Bowls are Japanese ceramic chawan rice bowls with a design inspired by Hokusai's Kanagawa wave woodblock print - bold ocean blue brushwork for a dramatic and iconic Japanese table presence. In the Box Set of 2 Japanese Bowls...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
Kujira Chopsticks, part of the coordinated Kujira whale tableware collection. Smooth lacquered chopsticks with non-slip tip for comfortable everyday use. Country of Origin MADE IN JAPAN Package Includes 2 Pairs of Handcrafted Wooden Chopsticks Material Natural Wood with Protective Acrylic...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-4 items)
This Japanese microwave rice cooker lets you cook perfect fluffy white rice in under 15 minutes without a dedicated rice cooker. Compact, BPA-free, and easy to clean. Includes 1 rice cooker + measuring cup Dimensions 14 × H14 × 13.6...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (498 items)
Todai Chopstick Tongs, Japanese precision serving tongs in the form of elongated chopsticks with a spring mechanism. Perfect for serving salads, noodles, and teppan-grilled dishes at the table. Brand & Origin TODAI Kitchenware | Made in Niigata, Japan 🇯🇵 Material...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (498 items)
Suba Kitchen Tongs, compact Japanese tongs in 18-0 stainless steel. Precise grip for turning, plating, and serving hot foods. Includes 1 pair of kitchen tongs Length 14.7 cm (5.7") Material 18-0 stainless steel Origin Made in Japan 🇯🇵 All stainless...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (498 items)
Nami Donburi bowls with lids, a set of two with the wave Nami pattern in blue and white porcelain. Ideal for rice bowls, donburi, or noodle dishes. Includes 2 bowls + 2 matching lids, 545g each Dimensions 15 × H10.5...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (498 items)
The Maneki Neko Bowls Set is a charming collection of ceramic bowls decorated with the iconic lucky cat Maneki Neko motif. An auspicious and joyful gift set for Japanese culture enthusiasts. In the Box Set of 5 Japanese Ceramic Bowls...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-2 items)
Mirin Sauce, Japanese sweet rice wine that adds gentle sweetness and a beautiful glaze to teriyaki, simmered dishes, and sauces. An essential element alongside soy and sake. Contents 500 ml Origin Made in Japan 🇯🇵 Browse also: gyudon tools, sukiyaki...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (499 items)
Kujira Bowls (set of 4) are deep ceramic bowls from the coordinated Kujira whale series - perfect for rice, miso soup, and noodles as part of a complete ocean-themed Japanese table setting. The Kujira Collection Please note: This collection is...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (5 items)
Laughing Cat Donburi Bowls are Japanese Mino ware porcelain bowls decorated with a cheerful smiling cat, sold as a pair with wooden chopsticks. At 15 cm across, they are sized for udon, soba, ramen and rice bowl dishes. In the...