Gyudon: Quick Japanese Beef Bowl
Gyudon is a beloved Japanese comfort food featuring tender, thinly sliced beef and sweet onions simmered in a dashi-based savory-sweet sauce, served hot over a bed of fluffy steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef (sirloin or ribeye)
- 1 large yellow onion sliced thinly
- 1 cup dashi (Japanese soup stock)
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons sake (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice for serving
- 2 stalks green onions chopped (optional garnish)
- beni shoga (red pickled ginger) for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the beef by slicing it as thinly as possible. If partially frozen, it's easier to slice. Slice the onion thinly. 2. In a large skillet or shallow pot, combine dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. 3. Add the sliced onions to the simmering sauce and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are softened and slightly translucent. 4. Add the thinly sliced beef to the pot, spreading it out evenly. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is cooked through and tender. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. 5. Once the beef is cooked, taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. 6. To serve, place a generous portion of hot steamed rice in a bowl. Top with the beef and onion mixture, spooning plenty of the savory sauce over everything. 7. Garnish with chopped green onions and beni shoga if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Serve with a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi, beni shoga (red pickled ginger), or a raw egg yolk for extra richness. For a spicier kick, add a dash of chili oil. You can substitute beef broth for dashi if unavailable, though dashi provides a more authentic Japanese flavor.