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how to make japanese beef rice bowl recipe

Japanese Beef Rice Bowl

Planning to enjoy a delightful Japanese beef rice bowl? You’re in for a treat! But hold on—let’s talk about what pairs perfectly with this dish. A few refreshing ideas come to mind:
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • ½ lb thinly sliced beef such as chuck or ribeye; you can also slice your own
  • ½ medium onion about 4 oz or 113 g, thinly sliced
  • 1 green onion scallion, finely chopped

Sauce

  • ½ cup dashi stock use standard awase dashi, a dashi packet, powder, or vegan dashi
  • 2 tablespoons sake can substitute with dry sherry, Chinese rice wine, or water for a non-alcoholic version
  • 2 tablespoons mirin or substitute with 2 tbsp sake/water + 2 tsp sugar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil for nutty aroma and depth
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger for warmth and zing

For Serving

  • 2 servings of cooked Japanese short-grain rice roughly 1⅔ cups or 250 g per donburi bowl
  • Pickled red ginger beni shoga or kizami beni shoga, for garnish

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  • Start by slicing the beef thinly, if you haven’t done it already. A sharp knife helps here. You want the beef slices as thin as possible for quick cooking.
  • Next, slice the onion and chop the green onion. Set them aside in different bowls.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, mix together the dashi stock, sake, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, toasted sesame oil, and grated ginger. Stir until the sugar dissolves. This sauce is the heart of your gyudon, giving it that irresistible flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Onions

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of oil if necessary. Once hot, toss in the sliced onion. Sauté them for about two minutes until they start to become translucent and fragrant.

Step 4: Add the Beef

  • Now it’s time to add the beef. Stir the meat with the onions. You want to cook it until just browned, which should take about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Pour in the Sauce

  • Once the beef is cooked, pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together. This should take around 5 minutes. You can adjust the sweetness by adding extra sugar, depending on your taste.

Step 6: Serve Over Rice

  • While the beef and onion mixture simmers, prepare two bowls of cooked Japanese short-grain rice. Once the meat is ready, spoon the beef and onion mixture over the rice.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions and a side of pickled ginger.

Notes

  • Use a sharp knife to slice the beef
     This makes it easier to get those thin slices you'll want for flavor absorption and tenderness.
  • Keep the rice warm
     The contrast of hot beef with warm rice enhances the experience.
  • Don’t overcook the beef
     This can make it tough. Just cook it until it’s no longer pink.
  • Experiment with the sauce
     Feel free to add more ginger for a spicier kick or a splash of sesame oil for a richer flavor.
  • Add veggies
     For more nutrition, consider tossing in some spinach or broccoli during the cooking process for added color and nutrition.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 10gTrans Fat: 1g
Keyword Japanese Beef Rice Bowl
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