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Gyudon beef bowl with onions and pickled ginger over rice

Sweet soy-simmered beef over steamed rice

Gyudon

Gyudon

20 minEasy

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

20 min

Servings

2

2 bowls

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Moderate

$$

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Gyudon

Sweet soy-simmered beef over steamed rice

Paper-thin slices of beef simmered with onions in a sweet soy-mirin broth, served over a steaming bowl of rice. Gyudon is Japan most popular fast-food bowl and the epitome of quick comfort.

5m

Prep Time

15m

Cook Time

20m

Total Time

2

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Japanese CuisineMain CourseDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

October 2, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Gyudon is the meal that fuels Japan. From late-night salarymen to busy students, everyone turns to this sweet, savory beef bowl for a fast, satisfying meal that feels like a hug.

Why This Recipe Works

Using thinly sliced beef cooks in minutes and absorbs the sweet-savory broth. Simmering the onions until soft and sweet creates a natural sauce base without any thickener.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb beef (ribeye or chuck), sliced paper-thin
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp mirin
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 bowls steamed rice

Instructions

  1. 1

    Simmer sliced onion in 1/2 cup dashi (or water) with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar for 5 minutes until soft.

  2. 2

    Add beef slices and spread them out. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until just cooked through.

  3. 3

    Do not stir aggressively; gently move the beef to keep the slices intact.

  4. 4

    Scoop rice into bowls and ladle the beef, onions, and broth over the top.

  5. 5

    Garnish with pickled red ginger (beni shoga) and optionally top with a raw or onsen egg.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice

  • Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi

  • Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor

Substitutions

BeefThinly sliced pork (butadon)

Pork bowl version is equally popular and more budget-friendly

MirinRice wine + sugar

Mix 1 tbsp rice wine with 1 tsp sugar

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Mirin

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the mirin matters

Mirin quietly rounds out sauces like this with sweetness and gloss. It is one of those ingredients you notice more when it is missing.

This adds balance, not just sweetness.

  • Rounds out saltier sauces
  • Useful in glazes, noodle dishes, and marinades

A bottle of mirin becomes surprisingly versatile once it is in the pantry.

Shop mirin for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing for the thinnest possible cuts.

  • Ask your butcher for shabu-shabu-cut beef for perfectly thin slices without effort.

Storage

Refrigerate beef and sauce for up to 3 days. Store separately from rice.

Reheating

Warm gently in a saucepan. Serve over freshly steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (60mg) · 2 servings

Calories520
LowModerateHigh

A hearty, energy-rich serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein26g
Carbohydrates14g
Fat68g
Fiber780mg
Sugar2g
Sodium12g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best?
Thinly sliced ribeye or chuck roll. Shabu-shabu meat from Asian markets is ideal.
What is dashi?
Japanese stock made from kombu and bonito flakes. Substitute with water and a pinch of MSG.

Explore More

More Japanese RecipesMore Main CourseDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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