
Yoshinoya has been serving “tasty, low-priced and quick” gyudon (beef bowls) in Japan for over a century. In recent years, the chain’s bright orange signs can also be found at around 600 locations throughout Southeast Asia and the United States. It seems the world has fallen in love with the original Japanese fast food.
Now anyone can enjoy the beefy goodness of gyudon from the comfort of their own home thanks to this easy recipe. It’s the closest you’ll get to an authentic Yoshinoya beef bowl without having to put on pants.
Ingredients
160 – 200g sliced beef
½ Onion
Sauce:
200ml water
1 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs white wine
1 Tbs red wine
1 Tbs mirin
2 Tbs soy sauce
½ tsp dashinomoto (dashi powder)
1 tsp grated garlic
1 tsp grated ginger
Topping:
Benishouga (red pickled ginger)
Shichimi tougarashi (seven spice)
*The beef doesn’t need to be high quality, any kind will do. When it comes to the meat, the thinner, the better (the original Yoshinoya beef bowl uses very thinly sliced beef). If your local supermarket doesn’t sell thin-cut meat, you can ask the butcher or cut it yourself at home.
*You may be thinking, “But why use wine in a Japanese dish?” It might sound like a strange ingredient, but wine is actually an important part of making a beef bowl that taste like the ones from Yoshinoya.
*If you don’t have access to mirin, you can substitute one teaspoon of sugar.
*Dashinomoto may be hard to find at your local grocery store, so you may have to check at a Japanese market.
Directions
1. Add all of the sauce ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat.
2. Slice the onions and cut the meat into bite-size pieces. The onions should be fairly thick, just like at Yoshinoya.
3. Once the sauce has come to a boil, add the onions and reduce to low heat. Allow the onions to cook for a few minutes.
4. Add the beef and continue to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. (If you have time, it’s best to turn off the heat once the beef is no longer pink and let everything cool until ready to serve. This allows the beef and onions to soak up the sauce. Reheat before serving.)
5. In a large bowl, add rice and place beef and onion mixture on top. You can add as much benishouga (red pickled ginger) and shichimi tougarashi (seven spice) as you like.
Makes two servings
*Adding shichimi tougarashi (seven spice) gives the beef bowl a spicy flavor.
*Serve with miso soup or salad for a healthy meal.
*Pants optional.
Enjoy! We’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so drop us a line either in the comments section below or via our Facebook page. Happy cooking!






New fried take on Yoshinoya’s original beef bowl really hits the spot! 【Recipe】
The best way to eat a gyudon beef bowl, according to staff at Yoshinoya
What does three months of Yoshinoya beef bowls do to your body? Medical study announces results
Secret way Yoshinoya’s president customizes his beef bowl orders is a secret no more【Taste test】
Mix-and-matching Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya to create the ultimate beef bowl【Taste test】
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
This Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tsukimi Moon-Viewing season begins in Japan with new Yoshinoya gyudon beef bowls
Yoshinoya beef bowls become miniature gacha toys
Who eats the most cheese beef bowls? Not young, dorky men, survey says
Japan’s beef bowl king, Yoshinoya, releases new line of canned, ready-to-eat beef bowls
Beef bowl chain Yoshinoya’s historic first store to close, special countdown site launched!
Yoshinoya studying what happens to the body after three months of eating beef bowls
Yoshinoya teams up with Wagyumafia for a super expensive beef bowl
Yoshinoya beef bowl set vs. its mini capsule toy version: how do they size up next to each other?
From beef bowl to beef pouch? Taste testing Yoshinoya’s instant gyudon packs
Beef bowl king Yoshinoya to start serving ramen this summer with new beefy mazesoba
How to make a mouth-watering Japanese beef bowl in just five minutes 【RocketKitchen】
Yoshinoya sells frozen beef bowl topping packs, but are they as good as the restaurant kind?
Yoshinoya, Japan’s biggest beef bowl chain, is now serving fried chicken in Tokyo
Japanese Black Wagyu from Yoshinoya – Premium beef isn’t just for politicians anymore!【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Yoshinoya releases new canned, ready-to-eat rice bowls 【Taste Test】