15 Popular Types of Donburi Bowls

Have you tried all the types of donburi bowls? In this article, we take you through all the different types of donburi that you should definitely try in Japan! Check it out!

Donburi, the quintessential Japanese dish, has captured the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts around the world.

This beloved culinary creation combines a bed of steaming white rice with a delectable array of toppings, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

From succulent slices of marinated beef to fresh sashimi delicacies, donburi offers a diverse and captivating experience for food lovers.

In this article, we embark on a mouthwatering journey to explore the fascinating world of donburi and its many variations.

While its literal translation simply means "bowl," donburi encompasses an assortment of sumptuous rice bowl preparations that are as diverse as the regions they hail from.

Each variation offers a distinct combination of ingredients and culinary techniques, reflecting the unique flavors and cultural traditions of Japan.

Join us as we delve into the intriguing types of donburi, ranging from the famous gyudon, featuring tender beef simmered in a savory sauce, to the delicate chirashizushi, a vibrant assortment of sashimi over a bed of sushi rice.

Discover the nuances and complexities of donburi, as we unravel the secrets behind these enticing dishes that have captivated generations of Japanese food lovers and continue to enthrall diners worldwide.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and indulge in the irresistible charm of donburi—a culinary experience that promises to transport you to the heart of Japan's rich gastronomic heritage.

Types of Donburi Bowls

As the definition of donburi is so broad, the possibilities are endless as long as you have that one key ingredient- rice.

And as a result, pretty much all Japanese prefectures have their own regional donburi bowl recipes.

Here you will find the most popular donburi dishes that we Japanese love to enjoy a lot.

What Is A Donburi Bowl?

Donburi means bowl in Japanese, which refers to any dish where rice is placed in a bowl and topped with anything you want.

From fish, meats, seafood, vegetables, eggs to mapo tofu, steak, and whatever it is, anything will do so.

All the ingredients are simmered with flavorful seasonings and placed on top of plain, steamed white rice.

The simmering sauce varies depending on the ingredients, region, season, and taste. A typical sauce consists of dashi flavored with soy sauce and mirin. The proportion may vary, but usually, three to four times as much dashi as soy sauce and mirin are taken.

And it's also called donburi sauce.

In case you are curious about the size of a donburi bowl, let me inform you that it is actually an oversized rice bowl, which is also called a donburi.

To distinguish, the bowl is called donburi-bachi, and the food inside it is called donburi-mono.

Hopefully, everything is clear to you now. Let's get to the main point without any further delay.

Gyudon

Gyudon is probably one of the most popular types of don dishes, which can be literally translated to beef bowl.

Thin slices of beef and onion are served over a bowl of rice after simmering them with mirin, sugar, sake, and soy sauce. It imparts a salty-sweet flavor to the dish.

With the beef and onion, I always take some more ingredients as toppings, such as a poached egg, pickled ginger, kimchi, red chili, or grated daikon radish with ponzu citrus dressing.

And I also recommend you to do so as it doubles or triples the taste of this yummy and savory dish.

However, if you want to enjoy gyudon at a restaurant, you will get to experience a different thing.

In most cases, they will let you season the dish according to your preference.

If you want a complete meal on a budget while being in Japan, you should try it at least once.

Where You Can Get The Best Gyudon:

Tendon

Tendon is one of my favorite Japanese food bowls, and I am sure that it can satisfy the taste buds of any tempura lover.

This one-bowl meal is a delicious combination of tempura and donburi, where deep-fried tempuras are served over freshly steamed rice with sauce.

Here the tempura may cover a wide range of ingredients such as seafood like shrimp, squid, different types of vegetables like eggplants, daikon radish, kabocha squash, etc. They are battered and deep-fried to make tempura and then enjoyed with rice.

To make the tendon bowl even more appetizing, we usually place the tempura over rice after drizzling it with umami-imparting tentsuyu. It is a savory tempura sauce made with dashi soup stock and kaeshi, a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.

Anyway, as tempura is deep-fried, you might think that it will be soggy or oily, but it is not like that. Let me give you some tips to identify good quality tendons.

While having this donburi bowl in a restaurant, always keep in mind that the best tendon is always light and crispy, never swampy or greasy.

Where You Can Get The Best Tendon:

Oyakodon

You will get a twist in its taste just like it has a twist in its name, oyakodon, which means parent and child.

Steamed chicken (the parent) pieces are simmered together with egg (the child) and chopped scallions in a sweet and savory broth and then placed on top of rice garnishing with fresh herbs and shichimi pepper spice.

Oyakodon is a quite popular lunch bowl in our country, as it is easy and quick to prepare.

You can get this simple dish in numerous Japanese eateries, fast-food restaurants and even buy from street vendors.

Where You Can Get The Best Oyakodon:

Kaisendon

Every individual region of this country has its own donburi bowl, as I said earlier.

Now I will talk about a seafood donburi called kaisendon, which is a specialty dish of Hokkaido in northern Japan.

This dish features steaming hot rice topped with thinly sliced, assorted raw seafood called sashimi. Though it is not fixed what kind of seafood should be used for sashimi, you can select it depending on the location and season.

The most popular items include fresh uni (sea urchin), maguro (tuna), tai (sea bream), hotate (scallops), ama ebi (deep-water shrimps), kani (crab), and sometimes even marinated ikura (salmon roe).

To make your bowl more appealing, top it with toasted nori seaweed, shiso or Japanese basil, myoga ginger, onions, cucumber, and either fresh or pickled ginger besides sashimi.

And all the ingredients should be drizzled with wasabi-laced soy sauce before placing over the bed of rice.

Lastly, garnish the kaisendon bowl with some white radish sprouts, white sesame seeds, and wasabi paste, and don't forget to take some instagrammable snaps to show off with your friends.

Where You Can Get The Best Kaisendon:

Butadon

Buta means pork, and don means bowl. So, butadon is a bowl of rice topped with sliced pork simmered in a slightly sweet soy sauce. You may also add some green peas and onions as toppings.

During the early-to-mid 2000s, when there were restrictions on beef, butadon became a popular equivalent of gyudon. Many beef bowl chains started serving this pork bowl.

Well, it has been many years since the restrictions were lifted, but butadon is still very popular in Japan.

Where You Can Eat The Best Butadon:

Katsudon

The topping of katsudon features breaded and deep-fried pork or chicken cutlet that is cooked together with a scrambled egg and thinly sliced onion in a sweet dashi and soy sauce broth.

After stuffing it into your mouth, when you notice that the breaded cutlet is still crisp even after cooking in the savory broth, you will be bound to say, yumm….

But don't forget to share this with your partner, engulfing yourself in its heavenly taste.

By the way, talking about its origin, this dish dates back to 1921, but since then, it has been deviated from the original recipe by adding or replacing numerous ingredients.

But the best-known version still includes katsudon made with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and miso.

Where to Eat The Best Katsudon:

Unadon

Simply place some grilled unagi(eel) on top of steamed rice, and this is unadon for you.

Well, this may sound simple, but you need to endure a lot of hassle to have this tasty donburi food.

The eel here is usually grilled in kabayaki-style where the fish is split down, gutted, butterflied, cut into square fillets, skewered, then dipped in tare sauce before being grilled. This sweetened sauce is used to ensure the necessary caramelization of the fish during the grilling process.

In the Kanto region, the eel is steamed before grilling to get a more tender texture, while in Kansai, it is just grilled without steaming.

Anyway, some sansho berries are also kept on top before the final serving to enhance the artistic value

Chukadon

Chukadon is a popular Japanese dish, which is believed to be originated in the 1930s in a Chinese-style restaurant in Tokyo.

The rice can be accompanied by various meat, seafood ingredients, and sliced vegetables like bamboo shoots, cabbage, and wood ear mushroom, which are shortly stir-fried in a thick and starchy soy-infused sauce.

It is very easy to prepare and can make a way out for you on your laziest or busiest day.

You can find chukadon on the menus of many Japanese fast-food establishments as well.

Ikuradon

If you are more or less familiar with Japanese cuisine, you probably have noticed some bright colored glistening tiny balls-like elements on top of various dishes.

Hmm, I was talking about salmon roe, which is known as ikura in Japanese.

Salmon roes are marinated in a flavorful broth based on mirin, soy sauce, and sake and then placed over a bowl of freshly steamed rice.

Just put it in your mouth and taste the succulent freshness of the buttery roes that contrasts nicely with the hot rice.

You can also add raw egg yolks or dry seaweed stripes to enhance its flavor.

Tekkadon

A simple Japanese don food, tekkadon, consists of vinegar-flavored steamed rice that is topped with sashimi-style, raw pieces of tuna.

Soy sauce is usually served on the side after garnishing the dish with sliced scallions and strips of nori seaweed.

If you incorporate marinated pieces of tuna instead of raw ones, the term will change, and then you should call it maguro zuke don, which is usually served without a dipping sauce.

I like the latter one most and also recommend you to try it at least once if tuna is your favorite seafood.

Tenshindon

Tenshindon belongs to the broad category of donburi dishes, where many Japanese ingredients and meals are served over rice.

The main feature of tenshindon is the omelet which employs crab meat, mushrooms, peas, authentic Japanese negi onions, and sliced ginger.

Firstly, the rice is served in a bowl, and then the omelet is positioned on top.

Finally, a thick sauce made of vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, chicken broth, oyster sauce, starch, and occasionally ketchup is poured generously over the top.

Konohadon

Konohadon is a traditional Japanese dish that is particularly famous in Kyoto and Osaka.

This donburi dish consists of a bowl of rice with finely sliced fish cakes, raw eggs, and sometimes shiitake mushrooms and scallions.

The egg is spread raw over the hot rice, and it gets lightly cooked by the heat of the rice.

In case you are concerned about our use of raw eggs, I can assure you that Japanese raw eggs are completely safe. In fact, we do it to get its highest nutritional benefits.

Anyway, you can also include sliced nori seaweed or fried tofu to enrich the dish further.

Shirasudon

Shirasudon is a traditional dish of the Kanagawa region, which is particularly a specialty of Chigasaki, Kamakura, and Enoshima Island.

For shirasudon, boiled, dried, or raw shirasu, including baby sardines, sand lances, or herring, is simply placed on top of a rice bowl and eaten with soy sauce.

The texture of those fish is light and fluffy, while the aroma is slightly salty.

To relish the best taste out of it, I suggest adding some Japanese herbs, seaweed, and sliced leeks, with tare on the side.

Tamagodon

What can be more simple and easy than making tamagodon?

Well, literally nothing!

Prepare a fluffy egg omelet by mixing it with onions and a savory sauce made with dashi, mirin, and soy sauce, and place it over a bowl of steamed rice. This is the tamagodon for you.

If you are in a hurry but at the same time hungry, this plain and quick meal can make you relieved from stressing yourself.

However, you may consider garnishing this Japanese comfort food staple with nori seaweed and chopped spring onions if you have time.

Negitorodon

Wanna make something quick but with a bit of a twist?

Then go for negitorodon.

It is a donburi bowl that is characterized by an incredibly mild and refreshing flavor.

Just place some pieces of raw fatty tuna over rice. But how will you prepare the tuna for this dish?

Traditionally, tuna used in this bowl is scraped around the bones or thinly sliced and then mixed with green onions, seasoned with soy sauce.

After preparing the tuna in this way, you can finally place it over a heap of plain steamed rice and then serve with wasabi, seaweed strips, and raw egg yolk.

Well, these are the most popular donburi bowls, while so many varieties are out there.

Now that you know about these dishes, you might be curious about their food value before trying them.

Let's see whether they can benefit us in any way or just a feast for the taste buds.

Kare-don 

Kare-don is a dish made of freshly steamed rice with Japanese-style curry. The sauce is comparable to that used in soba restaurants to make wheat and buckwheat noodles.

It is made by dilution of ordinary curry with dashi soup stock and thickening with wheat flour or potato starch. Soy sauce is a flavour enhancer that can be added.

Pork that has been cooked in a blend of vegetables and curry in thin strips is the preferred meat topping for kare-don.

To improve the topping's aesthetic appeal, garnish with peas, shallots, and other green vegetables.

Because it is straightforward and simple to make, kare-don is a favourite among Japanese working-class people. This donburi dish is available at most fast-food restaurants that also provide gyu-don and Buta-don.

Tentamadon

Tentamadon, a delightful variation of donburi, is a Japanese rice bowl dish that showcases the perfect harmony between crispy tempura and fluffy rice. 

This delectable creation features a generous serving of tempura, which consists of lightly battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables, carefully arranged on a bed of steaming white rice.

The star of the show in Tentamadon is the tempura itself. Whether it's succulent shrimp, tender pieces of fish, or a medley of colorful vegetables, the tempura is cooked to perfection, boasting a delicate and crispy exterior while retaining its natural flavors within. 

The contrast between the crispiness of the tempura and the softness of the rice creates a satisfying texture that is both comforting and indulgent.

To enhance the flavors of Tentamadon, a drizzle of savory and slightly sweet tentsuyu sauce is often added, providing a delightful umami kick that complements the tempura beautifully. 

Additionally, a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions or a dollop of grated daikon radish can be added to add freshness and an extra layer of taste.

Tentamadon is a popular choice for lunch or a quick and satisfying meal. Its combination of crispy tempura, fluffy rice, and umami-rich sauce is sure to leave your taste buds craving for more. ‘

Whether enjoyed at a cozy local eatery in Japan or recreated in the comfort of your own kitchen, Tentamadon promises a delightful culinary experience that celebrates the art of tempura in the form of a delightful rice bowl.

Sōsukatsudon

Sōsukatsudon, a tantalizing Japanese rice bowl dish, presents a unique twist on the classic katsudon. 

While both dishes showcase the marriage of crispy breaded pork cutlets and fluffy rice, Sōsukatsudon introduces an additional layer of flavor by incorporating a rich and savory sauce.

In Sōsukatsudon, the star of the show is the katsu, a pork cutlet that has been expertly breaded and deep-fried to a golden perfection. 

The crispy exterior gives way to tender and juicy pork, creating a delightful contrast of textures. Nestled on a bed of steamed rice, the katsu becomes the centerpiece of the dish, providing a satisfying and hearty foundation.

What sets Sōsukatsudon apart from its counterpart, katsudon, is the addition of a rich and flavorful sauce. This sauce, known as sōsu, is a combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dashi (Japanese stock), and other seasonings. 

The sōsu infuses the dish with a delightful umami essence, coating the katsu and permeating the rice beneath, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors that tantalize the taste buds.

The interplay of textures and flavors in Sōsukatsudon creates a truly satisfying dining experience. With each bite, you'll savor the crispy katsu, the fluffy rice, and the umami-packed sōsu sauce, all coming together to create a symphony of taste and texture. 

Sōsukatsudon offers a delightful departure from traditional katsudon, inviting you to embark on a culinary journey that showcases the innovation and creativity of Japanese cuisine.

Hokkaidon

Hokkaidon, a regional delight from the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, is a mouthwatering rice bowl dish that highlights the bounties of the sea. 

With its pristine waters and rich seafood culture, Hokkaido offers a unique culinary experience through Hokkaidon.

At the heart of this delectable dish is a generous serving of fresh seafood, carefully selected from the waters surrounding Hokkaido. 

Hokkaidon typically features a variety of seafood delights such as succulent scallops, plump shrimp, tender crab, and velvety salmon, all lightly cooked to preserve their natural flavors and textures.

The seafood is beautifully arranged atop a bed of steaming white rice, creating an enticing visual feast.

What sets Hokkaidon apart is the distinct dashi-based sauce that accompanies the seafood.

This sauce, made from dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and other seasonings, adds a delightful umami depth to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the seafood and permeating the rice beneath. 

The sauce brings together the various elements of Hokkaidon, creating a harmonious and indulgent symphony of flavors.

With each mouthful of Hokkaidon, you'll experience a tantalizing blend of fresh seafood, fragrant rice, and the umami-rich sauce that elevates the dish to new heights.

Whether enjoyed at a local seafood market or a traditional Hokkaido restaurant, Hokkaidon offers a memorable culinary adventure that celebrates the unparalleled marine treasures of Hokkaido, inviting you to savor the essence of this unique region with every delectable bite.

Negitorodon

Negitorodon donburi is a delectable Japanese rice bowl dish that combines the vibrant flavors of negi (green onions) and tender slices of fresh tuna. 

This popular donburi variation offers a delightful contrast of textures and a harmonious blend of savory and aromatic components.

At the heart of Negitorodon donburi lies a bed of fluffy steamed rice, serving as the foundation for a generous serving of succulent raw tuna. 

The tuna, known for its buttery texture and delicate flavor, is sliced into thin strips or bite-sized pieces, allowing it to effortlessly meld with the other ingredients.

What sets Negitorodon donburi apart is the abundant presence of negi, or green onions. These crisp, pungent onions are finely chopped and generously scattered over the tuna and rice, adding a refreshing and aromatic element to the dish. 

The negi not only provides a vibrant burst of flavor but also contributes to the visual appeal of the donburi, creating a delightful contrast of colors.

To further enhance the taste, a savory sauce often accompanies Negitorodon donburi. This sauce, typically a blend of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, adds a rich umami depth that complements the freshness of the tuna and the sharpness of the green onions, tying all the flavors together.

With each bite of Negitorodon donburi, you'll experience a symphony of flavors—silky tuna, crisp negi, and the umami-rich sauce—mingling with the comforting base of rice. 

This dish embodies the essence of Japanese cuisine, showcasing the harmony between simple yet high-quality ingredients. Whether enjoyed at a traditional sushi bar or prepared at home, Negitorodon donburi promises a delightful and satisfying culinary experience that celebrates the delicate flavors of tuna and the vibrant allure of green onions.

What is donburi style?

Donburi is a Japanese rice bowl dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, seafood, vegetables, or tofu. 

The word "donburi" literally means "bowl" in Japanese. ‘’Donburi is a popular and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, making it a great option for a quick and easy meal.

Donburi is typically served in a large bowl called a donburi-bachi. The rice is usually cooked in a rice cooker and the ingredients are cooked separately before being assembled in the bowl. Donburi can be served hot or cold.

Donburi is a popular dish in Japan and can be found in most Japanese restaurants. It is also a popular dish to make at home. 

Donburi is a versatile and delicious dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. It is a great option for a quick and easy meal or for a more formal occasion.

What is the most popular donburi?

Gyudon (Beef Bowl) 牛丼 is the most popular ddonburi. Gydon is basically thinly sliced beef in savory sweet sauce cooked with onions. 

What is the difference between donburi and don?

Donburi is a Japanese rice bowl that contains rice, meat, vegetables and sauce. Don is the bowl in which donburi is served. 

What's the difference between bibimbap and donburi?

Meals called donburi are typically served in large rice bowls, also known as don. Donburi is also known as "sweetened stews on rice" or "savoury stews". Bibimbap is a huge bowl of rice and it is typically served with a gochujang sauce and a variety of individually prepared meat and vegetables on top.

Are Donburi Bowls Healthy?

Well, it entirely depends on the toppings.

Most don dishes found in restaurants or other eateries are not very healthy. They tend to skimp on vegetables, focusing on meats, eggs, and other protein sources. Besides, they also use a pretty ample amount of short-grained white rice, which rarely has any nutritional value.

But don't worry, even if you are so much health conscious. It won't resist you enjoying this tasty Japanese dish.

The most convenient way to ensure your donburi bowl is healthy is by making it yourself. Take a limited amount of rice and then top it with healthy and nutritious food items.

Things apart, if you are curious about the history of this don bowl, let me brief you on it.

History of Japanese Donburi Bowl

Donburi cuisine first appeared in Japan in the 1600s, when grilled eel pieces were served over rice to theatergoers during the Edo period.

Since then, the concept of donburi has become widespread, and it has been expanded to a wide range of foods, from beef, pork, chicken to seafood, vegetables, and more.

And now, it has become ubiquitous to the point where you will get it at luxury, high-end restaurants, local casual eatery, and even at Japanese convenience stores.

Well, I have nothing more to inform you regarding this topic. Let's go for the wrap-up now.

Conclusion

Different types of donburi bowls are now so common to find around Japan. These are so filling and savory that I think you shouldn't miss trying at least one bowl of your favorite types when you are in our country.