Gyudon Recipe

Gyudon is Japan's ultimate comfort bowl: paper-thin beef and sweet onion simmered in a soy, mirin and dashi sauce, spooned over hot rice. It is fast, cheap and deeply satisfying.

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

35 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

590

Ingredients

• 400 g very thinly sliced beef
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 240 ml dashi stock
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sake (optional)
• 400 g cooked short-grain rice
• Pickled ginger and spring onions, to serve

Instructions

1. Combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sake in a pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
2. Add the onions and simmer for 5 minutes until softened and sweet.
3. Add the beef in batches, stirring gently, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until just cooked through.
4. Spoon the beef and onions over bowls of hot rice with a little of the cooking liquid.
5. Top with pickled ginger and spring onions and serve immediately.
6. Plate Gyudon nicely, garnish as you like, and serve fresh.

Pro tips

• Partially freeze the beef for 20 minutes to slice it paper-thin.
• Do not overcook the beef or it will toughen.
• A soft egg on top makes a delicious upgrade.

Frequently asked questions