This recipe for gyudon beef bowls is going to become one of your favorites, easy enough to cook any night of the week! Everything is cooked together in the rice cooker, resulting in an incredibly delicious and comforting meal of tender beef, onions and rice. Easy prep, cooking, and clean-up makes this a no-brainer!
I had seen these videos about making gyudon beef bowls in the rice cooker which seemed like a great idea! Unfortunately, when I tried the recipes, I was disappointed that the beef had no flavor and it didn't even really taste like gyudon. I was then inspired to create my own take on this viral recipe where it would still be easy, but it would also be delicious!
This recipe was also inspired by my recipes for Rice Cooker Salmon and Egg Rice and Rice Cooker Chinese Sticky Rice, and borrows from Japanese Butadon Pork Bowls, a popular recipe that's loaded with flavor. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients
- Thinly sliced hot pot beef
- Japanese short-grain pearl rice
- Onion
- Japanese soy sauce
- Mirin
- Sake
- Dashi granules
- Sugar
- Ginger slices
Equipment
Obviously, this recipe is centered around using a rice cooker (affiliate link). You could make this in a pot on the stove, too, but that requires more monitoring and effort on your part. With the rice cooker, you set it to cook and walk away until it's ready!
How to make Rice Cooker Gyudon Beef Bowls
In a measuring cup or bowl, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, dashi granules, and sugar. The dashi granules and sugar will not be completely dissolved.
If necessary, cut the beef slices so they are approximately 2-inches in length and add them to a dish with the ginger slices. Stir the marinade well and add to the meat. Stir to coat. Set aside.
Rinse the rice in a colander for about a minute until the water runs mostly clear. Set aside to drain.
Layer the beef, ginger slices and marinade in the bottom of the rice cooker pot. Layer the chopped onions on top of the beef.
Add the drained rice to the top of the beef and onions and level out with the back of a spoon.
Add the water to the rice cooker pot. Set the rice cooker to a normal cook mode.
After the rice cooker is done, leave the rice for about 5 minutes before opening the lid.
Use chopsticks to fluff the rice and to stir up the beef from the bottom of the pot.
How To Serve Gyudon
Since this recipe is so easy, all you have to do is scoop a bunch into a bowl and dig in! The beef is tender and flavorful, the onions are soft, and the rice is moist. It's delicious as it is!
Of course, you can also garnish your bowl of gyudon and add traditional toppings like slices of pickled ginger and Shishimi Togarashi (red pepper flakes). You can also never go wrong with adding some furikake, and for some freshness, add some chopped green onions.
Of course, miso soup is always a good partner to a Japanese rice dish and this is no exception.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of beef should I use?
Thinly sliced beef or hot pot beef is what is typically used for gyudon. Make sure the meat has some marbling/fat for best flavor and results.
What can I use in place of sake?
If you don't have sake, you can use Chinese cooking wine or a dry white wine.
Can I use Chinese soy sauce?
Chinese soy sauce does have a slightly different flavor than Japanese soy sauce. However, in a pinch, Chinese soy sauce will work. Just be sure to use Chinese light soy sauce.
Can I add other vegetables to cook with the other ingredients?
Yes! Some vegetables that would work well are canned corn (drained), peas, or mushrooms.
Other Recipes You Might Like
If you are looking for more rice cooker recipes, check out these ideas:
If you're looking for more easy recipes that involve dirtying only one pan, these are worth taking a look at:
This isn't exactly like traditional gyudon beef bowls, but when you're looking for a delicious comforting meal and that can be made all in the rice cooker, you can't pass up on this recipe! Tender beef, onions, and rice all cooked together in a flavorful sauce...you're going to love every mouthful!
~ Lisa.
Rice Cooker Gyudon Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 500 grams thinly sliced hot pot beef
- 350 grams short-grain rice
- ½ onion, sliced or cut into chunks
- ¼ cup Japanese soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoons sake
- 1 tablespoon dashi granules
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 slices ginger
- 1 ½ cups water
Optional Garnishes:
- Shichimi Togarashi
- Pickled ginger
- Chopped green onions
- Fried shallots
- Furikake seasoning
Instructions
- If necessary, cut the hot pot beef slices into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- In a bowl or measuring cup, combine the Japanese soy sauce, mirin, sake, dashi granules and sugar. Stir well.
- Add the sauce and the ginger slices to the beef and stir to mix. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- While waiting for the beef to marinade, add the rice to a mesh colander and rinse under cool water for about a minute, stirring the rice around with your hand, until the water is mostly clear. Set aside to drain.
- Transfer the marinated beef, ginger slices, and the sauce to the rice cooker pot.
- Layer the onions on top of the beef.
- Add the rice to the pot even it out. Add the water.
- Close the rice cooker lid and set it to Cook.
- After the rice cooker has switched off, allow the rice to sit uncovered for another 10 minutes.
- Stir the beef and rice together. Remove the ginger slices.
- Serve hot. If desired, garnish with pickled ginger, Shichimi Togarashi red pepper mix, chopped green onions, etc.
Notes
- 350 grams of pearl rice is approximately 1 ¾ cups (using standard measuring cups, not the measuring cup that comes with your rice cooker).
- Use beef that has some fat/marbling in it for the best results.
- Sake can be substituted with Chinese rice wine or dry white wine.
- Soy sauce can be substituted with tamari for gluten-free.
- Add a cup of canned corn (drained) or other vegetables like frozen peas to the rice cooker to cook with everything else.
- Top your gyudon with a poached egg.
sally
The seasoning is so good even when I had to compromise with some of the ing. thank you Lisa.
Thank you so much for making the recipe, Sally! So glad you liked it!