Authentic Japanese Donburi: A Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

Ingredients

2 cups of short grain rice
2 cups of water
1/2 pound of chicken thighs
1 large onion
2 eggs
4 green onions
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of mirin
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of sake
1 sheet of nori seaweed
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Steps and instructions

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
Combine the rice and water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
While the rice is cooking, cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
Slice the onion and green onions into thin strips.
In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the chicken to the pan and cook until browned on all sides.
Add the sliced onion to the pan and cook until softened and slightly caramelized.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and onions in the pan and stir to coat.
Crack the eggs into the pan and stir gently to scramble, cooking until just set.
Serve the chicken and egg mixture over the cooked rice, garnished with the sliced green onions and torn nori seaweed.

Tools for making

Rice cooker - Used to cook the rice quickly and evenly.
Frying pan - Used to cook the chicken, onions, and eggs.
Knife - Used to cut the chicken, onion, and green onions.
Cutting board - Provides a stable surface for cutting ingredients.
Small bowl - Used to mix the sauce ingredients.
Spatula - Used to stir and flip the ingredients in the pan.
Measuring cups - Used to measure the rice and water.
Measuring spoons - Used to measure the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake.
Rice paddle - Used to fluff and serve the cooked rice.

Recipe variations

Beef Donburi: Substitute the chicken thighs with thinly sliced beef, such as beef sirloin or ribeye.
Pork Donburi: Replace the chicken with sliced pork, such as pork tenderloin or pork shoulder.
Seafood Donburi: Use shrimp, scallops, or a combination of various seafood instead of chicken.
Vegetarian Donburi: Omit the chicken and use tofu or tempeh as a protein substitute.
Spicy Donburi: Add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or sriracha to the sauce mixture for some heat.
Teriyaki Donburi: Replace the soy sauce in the sauce mixture with teriyaki sauce for a sweeter flavor.
Tempura Donburi: Top the rice with a variety of tempura vegetables or tempura-battered shrimp or fish.
Mushroom Donburi: Saute a mix of mushrooms, such as shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms, instead of chicken.
Kimchi Donburi: Add a spoonful of kimchi on top of the chicken and egg mixture for a tangy and spicy twist.
Eggplant Donburi: Grill or roast thick slices of eggplant and use them as a substitute for chicken.

Recipe overview

Donburi, a comforting and hearty Japanese rice bowl, makes for a perfectly balanced meal that's both delicious and easy to prepare. This recipe features tender chicken and soft, fluffy eggs, simmered in a flavorful sauce and served over perfectly cooked short grain rice. It's the kind of meal you can easily whip up on a weeknight, but it's just as suitable for a weekend feast. The combination of savory soy sauce, sweet mirin, and a hint of sugar and sake gives the dish a depth of flavor that will have you coming back for seconds. Garnished with fresh green onions and slivers of nori seaweed, this Donburi is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Whether you're new to Japanese cuisine or a long-time fan, this Donburi recipe is sure to become a favorite.

Common questions

How do I cook the rice? - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Then, combine the rice and water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What kind of rice should I use? - Use short grain rice for this recipe.
Can I use a different type of meat? - Yes, you can use other meats such as beef or pork instead of chicken if you prefer.
Can I substitute any ingredients? - While it may alter the taste slightly, you can make substitutions based on personal preferences. However, the listed ingredients provide the authentic flavor for Donburi.
What is mirin? - Mirin is a sweet rice wine commonly used in Japanese cooking. It adds a subtle sweetness to the dish. If you don't have mirin, you can substitute it with a mixture of rice vinegar and sugar.
Do I have to use nori seaweed? - No, the nori seaweed is an optional garnish. You can omit it if you don't have it or prefer not to use it.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian? - Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by substituting the meat with tofu or using a variety of vegetables.

Serving dishes and utensils

Rice cooker - A rice cooker makes it easy to cook the rice to perfection.
Frying pan - A large frying pan is needed to cook the chicken and onions.
Cutting board - A cutting board is essential for slicing the onions and green onions.
Knife - A sharp knife is needed for cutting the chicken and slicing the vegetables.
Small bowl - A small bowl is used to mix the sauce ingredients together.
Spatula - A spatula is helpful for stirring and flipping the ingredients in the frying pan.
Rice paddle - A rice paddle is useful for serving the cooked rice.
Tongs - Tongs can be used to handle the chicken and onions while cooking.
Kitchen timer - A kitchen timer can help keep track of cooking times.
Seaweed scissors - Seaweed scissors are handy for cutting the nori seaweed into small pieces for garnish.

Origin stories

Donburi, literally meaning "bowl", has been a staple in Japanese cuisine since the late Edo period (1603-1868). It originally started as a convenient and quick meal for theater-goers who didn't want to miss a single act of their favorite Kabuki performances. The simplicity and convenience of placing rice, protein, and vegetables all in one bowl created a sublime symphony of flavors that could be enjoyed without any fuss, allowing them to savor both their meal and the performance at the same time. So next time you're enjoying your Donburi, you're not just having a meal, you're partaking in a piece of Japan's vibrant cultural history.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.