
Tamago kake gohan (or TKG to the cool kids) is a wonderfully simple Japanese meal, made by beating an egg and then pouring it over cooked rice. And the staff in our Tokyo office are pretty big fans. Our writer Yoshio even goes so far as to say that eating tamago kake gohan is one of the little moments in life when he feels lucky to be Japanese.
So when we discovered this unconventional recipe for Ultimate TKG, we just knew we had to give it a try – and the results were even more ultimate than we imagined! Join us after the jump for a step-by-step guide. All you’ll need is a bowl of cooked rice, an egg, and a strong wrist.
1) First (unlike normal TKG, which requires the egg to be mixed together), we’re going to begin by separating the white from the yolk.
2) Next, pour the egg white onto your bowl of cooked rice, and mix it in like your life depends on it. This is the important bit! It should start to look like the whisked egg whites you make for meringues.
3) When the egg white and rice mixture is nice and frothy, slide the yolk on top.
That’s it! It’s ready to eat!
Although the hot rice cooks the egg a little, it is supposed to be partly raw. In Japan, where it’s common to eat raw eggs, the best-before date on eggs actually refers to the last date they can safely be eaten uncooked. But regardless, you should always use the freshest eggs possible, and buy pasteurised eggs if you can.
You can eat Ultimate TKG by breaking the yolk with your chopsticks and eating it a little at a time with the rice. Yoshio likes to add a little soy sauce, too.
▼ “Hey, this is really good!”
Watch the whisking in action in this how-to video from our Tokyo office:
▼ There’s no English subs on this one, sorry – but we did just give you the whole recipe, so we reckon you’ll be ok.
And if raw egg isn’t your kind of thing, we guess you could always blitz this in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds…actually, if raw egg really isn’t your kind of thing, congratulations on getting this far in the recipe! And hey, you could always make something else instead.
▼ Yoshio was taught the way of the Ultimate Tamago Kake Gohan by the wonderful staff at this ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). Now, we’ve passed it on to you!
Original article by Yoshio
All photos © SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]







What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
We found the prettiest TKG ever at a restaurant specializing in raw eggs on rice in Tokyo
Tokyo has a “phantom egg shop” with ingredients for the best tamago-kake gohan rice bowl ever
Celebrate TGK Day with a classic of Japanese kitchens, but with some luxurious ingredients
We try Akane Farm’s Pinching Eggs with yolks so thick you can pick them up
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Eastern Japan high school graduating class’s wallets robbed during ceremony
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Raw eggs may lead to heads as bald as eggs
How to get a beef bowl breakfast in Japan for only 290 yen (some assembly required)
Mr. Sato warms an egg in his armpit for a delicious Japanese dish【SoraKitchen】
Restaurant specializing in tamago kake men (TKM), raw egg over noodles, opens in central Tokyo
We try all-you-can-eat raw eggs for 730 yen, turns out to be way better than it sounds
Eat 60 brands of eggs and a ton of rice for around 3 bucks at Tokyo’s egg festival
The best place to eat Japanese breakfast for US$2: Cheap food hack for locals and tourists
How to make Tokyo Disneyland’s awesome Mickey Mouse eggs at home!【SoraKitchen】
The pros and cons of using Fluffy Foam Soy Sauce【Taste test】
Japan has eggs that smell and taste like yuzu citrus fruit, and they’re amazing!
How to make a “curry rice bowl” using instant oatmeal instead of rice 【SoraKitchen】
Rice cooker kuri gohan and two more super-easy chestnut recipes to make this fall【SoraKitchen】
Eat Japanese cuisine like an epicure with the updated Ultimate NTO natto mixer from Takara Tomy
This fancy Shibuya hamburg shop is perfect for fans of Salisbury steak and…Ramen Jiro?
Can you make KFC takikomi gohan in a rice cooker, and is it something worth eating?【SoraKitchen】
How to make a massive five-layer lasagna…in your rice cooker【SoraKitchen】
Making minudaru, Okinawa’s super simple jet-black pork【SoraKitchen】