Remember that time I got paid to spend the entire summer in Japan in college (Camp Adventure, woot!) and gained like, 15lbs from drinking too much Peach Chu-Hi and eating WAY too many gyoza? I do.
Well there’s something else to blame for all the weight I packed onto my short little frame in 3 short months – Yoshinoya Beef Bowls. OH YES!
Yoshinoya is a fast-casual restaurant chain in Japan that’s famous for its beef bowls containing white rice and piles of thinly shaven, tender beef on top. Sounds weird – taste AMAZING.
(source)
They’re pretty much everywhere and you can get in and out in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for stopping in for a quick lunch, bite after work, nosh after the bars…
I was incredibly Japan-sick after I returned at the end of that summer, and vowed to recreate the dish I loved so much at home so I could have it anytime I wanted. Using only 6 low-fuss ingredients, I think I got pretty close!
Start by bringing beef broth, soy sauce or gluten-free tamari, mirin, and a little sugar to a boil.
This is mirin, by the way. It’s a Japanese cooking wine that you can get at any grocery store these days.
After the liquid is boiling, add in sliced onions.
Let them cook until they’re tender, about 5 minutes.
Finally, add in very thinly sliced beef loin. I’ve had my butcher do the slicing for me before, otherwise just pop the beef into the freezer until it hardens, then slice it. Unlike my thighs that summer, the thinner the better!
Since the beef is sliced so thin, it literally takes a minute to cook in the hot broth. It’s kind of like Pho in this way.
Pile the tender beef and onion slices over fluffy white rice, drizzle with some sauce, and you are set my friend!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Copycat Yoshinoya Beef Bowls
Description
Copycat Yoshinoya Beef Bowls taste just like the popular fast food beef bowl recipe from Japan!
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 cup beef broth
- 5 Tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
- 3 Tablespoons mirin
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1lb beef, sliced very thin (I used top sirloin)
- white rice
Directions
- Bring beef broth, soy sauce, mirin and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and add onions. Cook until onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add beef slices into the broth and cook until just barely done, about 1-2 minutes. Serve over white rice.
Notes
- Tip: to slice beef or chicken thin, place into the freezer until nearly frozen, then cut.
- Chicken version: substitute 1lb chicken breast for beef, use chicken broth instead of beef broth
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
The sauce in this dish is so delicate. Neither salty, nor sweet – it is just right. Umami? Mixed with the melt-in-your-mouth beef and onions, I am sent straight back to the counter at my local Yoshinoya with just one bite.
Don’t fear, beef haters, this recipe tastes awesome made with chicken broth instead of beef broth, and using sliced chicken breast instead of beef. Throw some broccoli or edamame in there, and you’ll be in Heaven!
Ugh, now I kind of want to read Memoirs for a Geisha. My copy is completely tattered from reading it nearly 5 dozen times after I returned home from Japan at the end of that summer. It’s funny how you can build such a strong connection with a place in such a short amount of time. I could easily move there tomorrow and call it home!
Maureen 06.19.2012
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I am so happy to have found this!!! I have been looking everywhere to find a beef bow recipe that doesn’t use dashi, as I am allergic to any and all kinds of fish! This is PERFECT!! I can’t wait to try it tonight! You are a lifesaver!
Brianne 12.14.2011
I lived in Okinawa and was so excited to find this recipe on Pinterest. I made it tonight but it wasn’t as flavorful as I thought it would be. I wonder if I did something wrong or if it shouldn’t have a “strong” flavor. Any ideas?
Iowa Girl Eats 12.14.2011
You could try probably try adding more soy sauce for more flavor if you’d like!
Jamie 12.08.2011
So, I’ve been oogling at this recipe for weeks now. I described it to my mom, who was off put by the fact that it was “boiled meat” and didn’t think it would come out tender and tasty. I told her “I trust Iowa Girl. I KNOW this will be good.”
My GAWD. This was so yummy!! The meat was indeed very tender, the broth was exactly as you described it- delicate- and boy oh BOY those onions! After I finished eating I stood over the pot for a good 5 minutes fishing for more onions. =]
Link love (Powered by melon salad and long days) | Musings of an Abstract Aucklander 12.03.2011
[…] Iowa Girl’s easy-peasy Japanese beef bowls. […]
Tiffany 11.29.2011
HOLY HANNAH!…made this last night!~ hands down the closest i’ve had to REAL japanese beef!…sooo yummy!…you ROCK IGE!…thanks a million and p.s. saw Breaking Dawn TWICE as well and hands down the best! and my favorite movie in the series yet!…gooo twihard fans! LOL
Lynn~The Learning Curves Blogger 11.26.2011
Another recipe I MUST make for my meat-eating fiance. I am always on the lookout for new meals for him because when it comes to meat, I am just not that creative. Your recipes have never let me down!!
I was born in Japan and also spent a few years in Okinawa but I would love to go back as an adult (for a visit). We have actually been thinking about living in Belize after we spend a few years traveling the U.S. in our RV. We are retiring early (but “poor”) next December… Central America will offer more bang for our buck!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 11.25.2011
Was just catching up after being on a cruise all week and this recipe definitely caught my eye! I often shy away from Asian recipes because they tend to require too many ingredients but this one looks easy and delicious! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving :)
Sara 11.23.2011
My family LOVED this! It was so good and very easy to make, my kind of meal!
Lorrie 11.22.2011
Kristin,
I’m a sophmore at UNI and before reading your blog I was living off of frozen meals and I had never cooked chicken. A Gamma Phi alum, Amanda F (now L), came and talked about healthy eating at a Gamma Phi PACE. She told us about your blog and I have been hooked ever since. I have already made 5 of your recipes and I plan on making more! I’ve found that I actually like cooking!
I’m from Des Moines and I love it there, but I love to travel too! I did Camp Adventure last summer and loved it! I spent 3 months in Germany and I traveled to 7 diffferent countries! I just got my placement for next summer in Atsugi, Japan and I’m so excited to experience a completely different culture! I love your blog and I can’t wait to try more of your recipes! : )
Lorrie
Morgan 11.22.2011
This post made me very excited for my upcoming adventure! I’m off to S. Korea to teach English in Feb. I’m sure I will be eating similar things.
I’ve also lived and studied in Italy and picked up some cooking tips along the way.
I love all food!
Sarah 11.22.2011
This looks SUPER yummy!I wonder if one could throw some broccoli in there too. I might have to try it.
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed 11.22.2011
Recipe pinned, bam!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 11.22.2011
This meal looks amazing!!!
Melissa 11.22.2011
Those pictures are amazing! Making me want to get Japanese food for lunch :)
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness 11.22.2011
This dish looks incredible, and I really like your re-design!!!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut 11.22.2011
Love the new colors of the blog, so purty :) I recently re-designed mine too and chose light blue and yellow as the colors, I love those combo.
We have (did?, not sure if they are still around) Yoshinoya here in Southern California, I used to eat their bowls a lot in high school.
My husband in Japanese but he was born here in the U.S. Someday we plan to go to Japan and vacation together and explore.
Ashley 11.22.2011
That looks delicious! I think i will try it with Chicken though, yum!
And, I have a crazy boss. As like right now in the present, and I wouldn’t even know where to begin with the stories.
tania 11.22.2011
i just got a huge wave of nostalgia!!
i visited japan for 3 weeks last november, and my hubby and i ate there for breakfast a few times… LOVED IT!!
actually, i loved every single thing about japan in general :)
Tokyo, the shinkansen, mount fuji, the subway, the people, the culture, etc etc…lol
when we got back to Toronto, we were bowing to everyone as a hello or thank you, it took us a few days to re-adjust!
love, love, loved Japan :)
cant wait to go back on our 10 yr anniversary, 6 more yrs to go.
p.s. awesome redesign :)
EM 11.22.2011
I studied in Germany for a summer. I now live in Austria (going on ten years now.)
Lauren 11.21.2011
Um, this looks delish! I totally understand the love for Yoshinoya. We’ve got them all over the place here in Beijing. I would gain loads of weight if it were close enough to justify going everyday. I’ve been living abroad for a long time.I teach internationally. I’ve lived in Cairo, Egypt for 3 years and now I’m in Beijing, China.I love how every time I move somewhere there are always certain elements that make is seem like home after a while. Reading your blog helps me stay connected to Iowa too!