Yoshinoya-Style Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

Recreate the iconic Japanese Yoshinoya-style beef bowl at home with tender beef rolls, caramelized onions, and a savory-sweet glaze served over steaming white rice.

Ingredients

• 300 g thinly sliced beef rolls
• 1 red onion
• 1 piece scallion
• 1 slice ginger
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 0.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 0.5 tbsp starch
• to taste water
• to taste toasted white sesame seeds
• 2 bowls cooked white rice

Instructions

1. 1Slice the Red Onion

   

   Take a red onion and slice it into thin strips on a cutting board, then set it aside for later use.

   Tip: Red onions tend to be milder, but sharp knives help reduce tearing.
2. 2Blanch the Beef Rolls

   

   Drop frozen beef rolls into a pot of boiling water containing a piece of scallion, ginger, and cooking wine to remove impurities.

   Tip: Add a bit of cooking wine and ginger if available to enhance flavor.
3. 3Remove the Blanched Beef

   

   As soon as the beef changes color in the boiling water, use chopsticks to promptly remove and transfer the rolls into a bowl.

   Tip: Do not overcook the beef during blanching so it stays tender when stir-fried later.
4. 4Melt Butter in Wok

   

   Heat up the wok and add a cube of butter, using a wooden spatula to spread it evenly as it melts down.

   Tip: Butter gives a rich, milky aroma, but regular cooking oil can serve as a substitute.
5. 5Sauté the Onions

   

   Toss the previously sliced red onions into the wok with the melted butter and stir-fry until they soften and change color.

   Tip: Sauté on medium heat to let the onions caramelize slightly and release their sweetness.
6. 6Combine Beef and Onions

   

   Add the pre-blanched beef rolls into the wok alongside the softened onions and continue stir-frying.

   Tip: Toss everything together gently for a few moments before adding the sauce.
7. 7Pour in the Sauce

   

   Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the wok containing the stir-fried beef and onions, adding it in batches to suit your taste preference and control flavor intensity.

   Tip: Adding the sauce in two batches helps you control the flavor intensity and saltiness of the beef bowl.
8. 8Simmer and Thicken

   

   Simmer the beef and onions over high heat to allow the sauce to reduce and thicken until it bubbles, then serve.

   Tip: High heat helps the starch in the sauce thicken quickly and coat the beef and onions evenly.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions