The Dons of Japan
Wed, 04/25/2018 - 03:31
Do you know the Don of Japan?
You may see him wearing his signature hat, looking all dandy and classy. He’ll then attract you with his smell, so irresistible, you’ll want a taste. He’s a little chubby, but nonetheless, he’s hot, steamy, and anything you want him to be. Who am I talking about you say? I’m talking about THE Don… Donburi.
| 丼 (donburi) |
|---|
Donburi is a Japanese dish, served in a large bowl, called a donburi. It usually comes with a lid, and is served with meat, fish, vegetables, or pretty much anything, over rice. One of the most famous donburi’s you may know is the 牛丼 gyudon, which Yoshinoya is known for. Gyu means beef, and when you add the don at end, it becomes a dish with beef over rice in a bowl.
You can pretty much put anything over rice, so you can unleash your imagination and let your wildest dreams come true when it comes to making your own donburi, like this 高菜明太マヨ豚丼 (takana mentai mayo buta don), a takana-pickle and spicy cod roe flavored mayo with pork - don. Delicious!
This dish made by Sukiya, another gyudon/donburi chain like Yoshinoya. But some of the more basic, classic favorites are:
Katsu don カツ丼
Tonkatsu (fried pork) with flavored egg and some veggies.
Ten don 天丼
Tempura over rice.
There is a beloved character from the children’s anime Anpanman, called tendon-man. Isn’t he adorable!
Una don うな丼
Grilled eel with sweet sauce. There is a day called doyou no ushino hi in July in which people celebrate by eating una dons.
Kaisen don 海鮮丼
Fresh sashimi over rice, a must have if you love sushi!
Ikura don いくら丼
Ikura, or salmon-roe over rice. Look at all those eggs!
Oyako don 親子丼
This is personally one of my favorites since it’s easy and quick to cook. Oyako translates to parent/child over rice, as this is cooked with chicken and eggs. A friend once called me a monster for eating a mother chicken and it’s scrambled babies together, but she became one too after finding out how delicious this is. On the other hand, a dish made with eggs and pork or beef is called a 他人丼 tanin-don, which translates to not related, or no relation.
Have you seen our Videocasts?More sushi types from the popular Japanese grammar Sushi series!
Ingredients for Oyako don (for one:)
- 1 Chicken thigh
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ Scallions or some Mitsuba leaves
- ¼ Onions, thinly sliced
- Bowl half filled with rice
- One tablespoon soy sauce
- One tablespoon mirin
- One tablespoon sake
- One tablespoon brown sugar
- Powdered dashi stock
- Quarter cup water
- Salt and pepper
Cut up chicken thighs into bite size pieces, and add some salt and pepper. In a small pan, put water, dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar and onions, and put it on medium. As it comes to a boil, add the chicken, and mix until the chicken is cooked, about 5 minutes. Add ⅔ of the egg into the pan, and place the lid, and cook for about 2 minutes. Open the lid, add the rest of the egg mixture, and cook for about another 10 - 30 seconds, depending on how cooked you like your egg, and serve it on the donburi. Add the scallions or mitsuba leaves on top. Also delicious if served with ichimi or shichimi togarashi, a japanese spice.
Who is your favorite Don?