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Close-up of a savory Gyudon bowl topped with sliced beef, onions, scallions, and a sunny-side-up egg.

Super Easy Yoshinoya Beef Bowl in 3 Steps

Recreate the iconic Japanese beef bowl at home in just three simple steps! This quick and savory gyudon recipe features thinly sliced beef and sweet onions simmered in a delicious umami sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Bowl
  • 1 lb Thinly Sliced Beef sukiyaki or shaved beef
  • 1 large Yellow Onion thinly sliced
  • 4 cups Cooked Short Grain Rice for serving
  • 2 tbsp Green Onion chopped, for garnish, optional
  • 2 tbsp Pickled Red Ginger Benishoga, for garnish, optional
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Mirin
  • 2 tbsp Sake or substitute with 1 tbsp more mirin + 1 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Fresh Ginger grated, optional, for extra depth

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Frying Pan
  • Small Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients & Sauce
  1. Thinly slice the yellow onion. If your beef isn't already shaved, slice it against the grain as thinly as possible.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), sugar, and grated ginger (if using). Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onions
  1. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
  2. Add the thinly sliced beef to the pan, spreading it out evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the beef starts to brown slightly.
  3. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and onions. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
  4. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and tender, and the onions are soft and translucent. The sauce should reduce slightly.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
  1. Divide the hot cooked rice among four serving bowls.
  2. Spoon the beef and onion mixture generously over the rice, ensuring some of the flavorful sauce drenches the rice.
  3. Garnish with chopped green onions and pickled red ginger, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, you can replace half of the water in the sauce with dashi stock. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon. Ensure the beef is sliced very thinly for the authentic Yoshinoya texture; frozen beef can be easier to slice thinly.