GYUDON (JAPANESE BEEF & RICE BOWLS)
One of my absolute favorite lunch options, however, was a Japanese place that served the dish we’re talking about today: Gyudon.
Gyudon is basically a dish of thinly sliced fatty beef, cooked in a slightly sweet mixture of mirin and soy sauce and served over rice. Sake is also sometimes added for extra flavor. At the place I went to in Beijing, the would serve it piping hot with a raw egg yolk on top.
You’ll also notice in this recipe that I decided to forgo the completely raw egg yolk, instead opting for a sunny-side up egg. This is the perfect way to get that runny yolk experience, even if you’re squeamish about the whole raw egg thing.
Gyudon (Japanese Beef & Rice Bowls) Recipe
Japanese Gyudon, thinly sliced fatty beef cooked in a slightly sweet mixture of mirin and soy sauce served over rice. Topped with an egg, Gyudon is the best!

Ingredients
  • Neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 medium onions, very thinly sliced
  • 1 lb very thinly sliced beef (fatty beef chuck or ribeye)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mirin
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 cup dashi stock (can also substitute beef or chicken stock)
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 cups cooked short-grain or medium-grain white rice
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, and cook the sliced onions for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Add the beef and sugar, and cook until the beef is slightly browned. Add the mirin, soy sauce, and stock. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10-15 minutes to reduce the stock into a thin sauce. Taste for seasoning, and add a little more soy sauce if needed.
  3. Meanwhile, heat another couple tablespoons of oil in a cast iron or non-stick skillet. Cook the eggs sunny-side up. You can cook them in batches if needed. The yolks should still be runny!
  4. When the beef is done simmering, divide the rice among 4 bowls, and top with the beef and an egg for each bowl. Garnish with chopped scallion and toasted sesame seeds, if using.