
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
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
Japan’s super easy sweet potato spread lets you make sweet potato bread thanks to Don Quijote
New Japanese KitKat flavour, Sugar Butter Tree, is like cracking a chocolate tree branch
Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso: Behind-the-scenes trivia and secret Easter eggs revealed
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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】
We follow Twitter recipe to cook “coffee rice”! 【RocketKitchen】
Gamer-friendly, non-instant yakisoba you can eat with your fingers【Sora Kitchen】