Copycat Yoshinoya Beef Bowls taste just like the popular fast food beef bowl recipe, Gyudon, from Japan!
Remember that time I spent the summer in Japan and gained like, 15lbs from drinking too much Peach Chu-Hi and eating WAY too many gyoza?
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.
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 returning home at the end of that summer, and simply had to recreate the beef bowls at home.
Calling for just six 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.
Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine that you can get at any grocery store these days.
After the liquid comes to a boil, add thinly sliced onions, turn the heat down to medium, then simmer until tender, about 5 minutes.
Finally, add very thinly sliced beef loin. I’ve had my butcher do the slicing for me before, otherwise pop the beef into the freezer until it slightly hardens then slice it.
The thinner the better!
Since the beef is sliced so thin, it takes just a minute or two 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 of the broth, and you’re set!
The sauce in this dish is so delicate. Neither salty, nor sweet — it’s just right.
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.
Copycat Yoshinoya Beef Bowls
Ingredients
- 1-1/3 cups beef broth
- 5 Tablespoons gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not GF
- 3 Tablespoons mirin
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 small yellow onion, cut in half then very thinly sliced
- 1 lb top sirloin steak, sliced very thin against the grain
- cooked white rice, for serving
Directions
- Bring the beef broth, Tamari or soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to a boil in a medium-size saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium then add the onions and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the beef slices into the hot broth then simmer until just barely cooked through, 1-2 minutes. Scoop the onions and beef over cooked white rice then drizzle with the cooking liquid and serve.
Notes
- Tip: to slice the beef very thinly, place the steak into the freezer for 20-30 minutes first.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
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!
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?
You could try probably try adding more soy sauce for more flavor if you’d like!
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. =]
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
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!
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 :)
My family LOVED this! It was so good and very easy to make, my kind of meal!
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
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!
This looks SUPER yummy!I wonder if one could throw some broccoli in there too. I might have to try it.
Recipe pinned, bam!
This meal looks amazing!!!
Those pictures are amazing! Making me want to get Japanese food for lunch :)