How to Order and Enjoy Yoshinoya’s Gyudon — Japan’s Beloved Beef Bowl Guide
About 3 min read
“Gyudon” is Japan’s ultimate soul food — a bowl of white rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. Among the many nationwide chains, none is more iconic than **Yoshinoya**, the true symbol of gyudon in Japan. Its famous slogan, “Delicious, Cheap, and Fast,” is known by every Japanese person. In this article, our editorial team members — passionate fans of Yoshinoya’s gyudon — share their favorite ways to enjoy this beloved dish!
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『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
Table of Contents
How to Order Gyudon
Many “Yoshinoya” restaurants have introduced touchscreen ordering terminals. They support English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easy for foreign visitors to order.
Gyudon (beef bowl) sizes range from small to extra-large, but first-timers should start with the standard “Namimori” (regular size). You can also customize your bowl. Options include “Tsuyudaku” (extra sauce), “Tsuyunuki” (no sauce), “Negidaku” (extra onions), or “Neginuki” (no onions). Choose based on your preference.
There are also plenty of topping options to add to your gyudon. This time, we ordered a “soft-boiled egg” and a “salad and miso soup set.” The soft-boiled egg is lightly heated so that the yolk remains half-cooked, giving it a creamy texture.
Grab a Drink While Waiting for Your Gyudon
Drinks are self-service, so prepare one while waiting for your meal. You can choose from cold water, hot water, or warm tea.
Before long, your gyudon (regular size) arrives! Along with the soft-boiled egg and salad & miso soup set, grab condiments like pickled red ginger and shichimi pepper from the counter. Once everything is ready, it’s time to dig in!
Build a Wall of Pickled Ginger and Drop the Egg in the Center
Here’s the recommended way to enjoy gyudon from Editor A (male). Pile a generous amount of free pickled red ginger on top of the regular-sized gyudon, creating a ring or “wall” along the edge of the bowl. Even with this much ginger, it won’t overpower the beef’s flavor.
Now comes the tense moment! Crack the egg and drop the soft-boiled egg right in the middle of the ginger wall. This helps the egg stay neatly in place.
Finally, break the yolk with your chopsticks and mix it together with the ginger, beef, and rice. The soft-boiled egg makes the flavor smoother and richer, while the pickled ginger adds a refreshing accent, keeping each bite delicious until the end.
Don’t forget to add dressing to your salad. The dressing comes in an easy-to-open container that can be used with one hand—no mess required.
How to Eat Negidaku Gyudon
Next is Editor B’s (female) recommendation. She ordered a regular-sized gyudon with “Negidaku” (extra onions), a raw egg, and the salad & miso soup set. “Negidaku” is an optional version with more onions than usual, letting you enjoy their sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture to the fullest.
Just like before, create a wall—this time using onions instead of pickled ginger—and drop the raw egg on top. Being able to enjoy raw eggs safely is a unique luxury of Japan. Mix the yolk with the beef and onions, then scoop up a big bite with your chopsticks!
Adding shichimi pepper for a touch of spice is also highly recommended. The kick of heat boosts your appetite and perfectly complements the sweetness of the onions in the “Negidaku” version.
“Yoshinoya’s Gyudon” is Japan’s soul food, loved by people of all ages. There are countless ways to enjoy it—start with these methods and discover your own favorite style!
[Featured Restaurant]Yoshinoya
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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