Gyudon (beef bowl) is a popular donburi dish with beef and onion served over a bowl of rice. Meat and onion are cooked in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, sugar and sake, giving the dish a sweet, salty flavor. Many chain restaurants (gyudon-ya) specialize in gyudon, making it an informal, inexpensive dining option for students and travelers on a budget.

Typically, beni shoga (pickled red ginger) and shichimi (red chili mix) are available at the table and added to taste. Tofu or konnyaku (devil`s tongue) may be cooked along with the beef, although these ingredients are more common in home recipes than at restaurants. You can also add a beaten raw egg or green onions onto the gyudon.

Between 2004 and 2006, a Japanese ban on imported American beef drastically affected the production and sale of gyudon, causing upset among gyudon lovers. However, the ban increased the popularity of butadon and tondon, which are both pork variations of beef bowl.

Gyudon-ya are numerous and often open 24 hours. These restaurants operate in one of two ways. Either a staff member takes one’s order as usual, or the meal is paid for in advance at a vending machine located near the restaurant entrance.

A side bowl of miso soup may come with the meal or is offered in a combo set. Other side dishes are salad and kimchi (Japanese version of Korean pickled napa cabbage). Tea and water are offered for free with refill jugs available on the table for customers to serve themselves.

Japan’s three largest gyudon-ya chains are:

• Yoshinoya

1062 stores in Japan as of March 2008

Yoshinoya’s orange sign and logo are almost synonymous with gyudon. It is Japan’s largest gyudon chain and has international stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and the US. A standard size gyudon serving costs 380 yen.

• Sukiya

995 stores in Japan as of March 2008

Sukiya offers are broader range of menu items and markets itself as a “suburban family restaurant.” Its restaurants typically have more booth space than the other two large chains. A standard size serving of gyudon is 350 yen.

• Matsuya

719 stores in Japan as of January 2008

Matsuya is the smallest of the three big chains. Their gyudon bowl is called gyumeshi on the menu and is always served with a side bowl of miso soup. A standard size serving of gyumeshi costs 350 yen.

How to make Gyudon video

Sources:

Gyudon guide, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2345.html

Gyudon recipe, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1mvYnRJX70&feature=channel