Oyakodon (親子丼) (Chicken and Egg Bowl)
The literal translation of Oyakodon (親 子丼) means “parent-and-child rice bowl.” The typical ingredients include chicken (as in parent), egg (as in child), and onions. The ingredients are simmered together in a sauce then served on top of a bowl of rice. It’s a very common Donburi dish and served at many traditional Japanese diners. This recipe serves two.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry
- 2 eggs
- ½ onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup dashi stock
- Chopped mitsuba or finely chopped green onion for garnish
Method:
- Cut the chicken diagonally (aka the “Sogigiri” cutting technique- hold your knife diagonally, nearly parallel to the cutting board, and then slice your meat/vegetable. This method gives the ingredient more surface area so that food cooks faster and soaks up flavor quickly.)
- Crack eggs into a bowl. DO NOT BEAT. Instead, hold chopsticks with the tip of chopsticks touching the bottom of the bowl, and write “Z” a couple of times. Set aside.
- In a shallow frying pan, heat mirin and sake and bring it to a boil.
- Add soy sauce, sugar, and dashi and bring it to a boil.
- Spread the onion into the pan and place chicken on top. Cover with a lid and keep the heat on high until it boils.
- Once it boils, skim off the scum and fat, and lower the heat to medium and cook for 12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and onion is soft. You can lightly stir the chicken and onion while cooking.
- Slowly and evenly add eggs into the pan instead of pouring at once.
- Use chopsticks and poke around the ingredients so eggs will disperse evenly. Shake the pan so the ingredients move around and bottom doesn’t stick to the pan.
- Serve Japanese rice in a large serving bowl.
- When the egg is cooked about 80%, add mitsuba (or green onions) and turn off the heat after 1 minute.
- Pour the mixture on top of rice and pour extra sauce. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!