Sukiyaki Don Recipe

Diving into this mouthwatering sukiyaki is like taking a cozy trip to Japan with each savory bite, and trust me, you’re going to want to pack your bowl with all the delicious fixings and maybe a poached egg on top for that final touch of happiness. 🥢🍲

One of my favorite comforting recipes is Sukiyaki Don. It takes a melding of tender, thinly sliced beef and umami-rich shiitake mushrooms and puts them in a savory mix of soy sauce, mirin, and sake.

And then it layers on top of that the delicate sweetness from carrots and the almost crunchy bite of the shirataki noodles, making it a hearty meal. There are green onions strewn throughout that lend a hint of subtle onion flavor, and a poached egg on top is a serious game changer.

Besides adding to the dish’s overall deliciousness, the egg makes the sauce thicker and silkier.

Sukiyaki Don Recipe Ingredients

• Thinly Sliced Beef: High in protein, adds hearty richness.
• Shiitake Mushrooms: Earthy umami, rich in fiber and vitamins.
• Soy Sauce: Savory, salty depth, essential for sukiyaki flavor.
• Mirin: Sweet rice wine adding a subtle sweetness.
• Sake: Light, sweet flavor, balances the sauce with depth.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness, balances savory elements.
• Shirataki Noodles: Low-calorie, low-carb, high in fiber.
• Tofu: Plant-based protein, creamy texture, absorbs flavors.
• Green Onions: Freshness, slight pungency, adds color.
• Japanese Short-Grain Rice: Sticky, slightly sweet, fundamental base.

Sukiyaki Don Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 200g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or chuck)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 200g shiitake or other mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1/4 cup sake
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 100g shirataki noodles, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium firm tofu, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 to 4 eggs (optional, for poaching)
• 4 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
• Pickled ginger (optional, for garnish)
• Nori or toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

How to Make this Sukiyaki Don Recipe

1. Warm a large frying pan or a pot over medium heat and pour in the vegetable oil. When hot, add the sliced onion and cook until clear.

2. Place the very thinly sliced beef in the skillet and cook until it is just starting to turn brown, being sure to keep the slices apart.

3. Combine the mushrooms in the skillet and continue cooking, stirring now and then, until the mushrooms soften.

4. In a little bowl, blend together soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Don’t be shy; you want to make a pretty nice-tasting sauce, and it’s not going to get any better once it hits the pan. So, yeah, make it good. Pour the sauce over the beef and stir to combine.

5. In a skillet, add the shirataki noodles and sliced tofu. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly and the tofu is heated through.

6. Place the green onions into the skillet and allow them to cook for 1-2 minutes, ensuring they reach a state of tenderness, yet still maintaining a slight crunch.

7. If you’re using eggs, poach them in simmering water or in the sukiyaki broth. Keep the poached eggs separate until serving, and nestle them atop each bowl of sukiyaki.

8. To serve, split the short-grained Japanese steamer rice among four bowls.

9. Ensure even distribution of beef, noodles, tofu, and vegetables in the sukiyaki mixture to top each bowl.

10. Top with optional pickled ginger, nori, or toasted sesame seeds. If you’ve made poached eggs, put one on top of each bowl for a dish that is totally complete.

Sukiyaki Don Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large frying pan or pot
2. Small bowl
3. Cutting board
4. Chef’s knife
5. Wooden spoon or spatula
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
8. Pot (for poaching eggs, optional)
9. Slotted spoon (for removing poached eggs, optional)
10. Rice cooker or pot (for cooking rice)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of meat for Sukiyaki Don?Indeed, substituting chicken or pork for beef is permissible; however, you must adjust the cooking time to guarantee that the meat reaches full doneness.
• Is there a substitute for mirin?Mix together rice vinegar and sugar to make a substitute for mirin. Use this mixture in place of mirin in your recipe.
• How do I prepare shirataki noodles properly?Shirataki noodles should be drained and rinsed under cold water, then boiled for a few minutes to remove any odor before being added to the dish.
• Can I make this dish vegetarian?Indeed, exclude the beef and increase the quantity of tofu and vegetables. For enhanced flavor, use vegetable stock in place of beef stock.
• What is the best way to poach eggs for this dish?Heat water in a pot until it is just below boiling and add a splash of vinegar. Combine a room temperature egg with a few ice cubes in a bowl to cool it down until the egg is ready to cook. Remove the egg from the ice and slide it into the pot, cooking in the slightly acidic water for three to four minutes.
• How should I serve Sukiyaki Don?Deliver the sukiyaki blend atop a portion of warm, Japanese short-grain rice, and then add any of the following: pickled ginger; nori; sesame seeds.
• Can I prepare any components of the dish in advance?You can pre-slice the components and make the sauce ahead of time, but for the best flavor, cook the parts right before serving.

Sukiyaki Don Recipe Substitutions and Variations

200g chicken or pork, thinly sliced, substitute for beef.
You can replace vegetable oil with olive oil or sesame oil.
Instead of shiitake mushrooms, use button mushrooms or portobello mushrooms.
Substitute teriyaki sauce for soy sauce when you want a sweeter flavor.
Sake could be substituted with dry sherry or white wine.

Pro Tips

1. Beef Slicing Technique For easier slicing, partially freeze the beef for about 30 minutes before cutting. This firm texture helps you achieve thin, even slices.

2. Mushroom Flavor Boost Before adding the mushrooms, sauté them separately in a bit of butter and a pinch of salt. This will enhance their natural flavor and add depth to the dish.

3. Sauce Enhancement Adjust the sauce to your taste by adding a dash of dashi stock or a teaspoon of grated ginger. This can elevate the umami factor and add a subtle layer of complexity to your sukiyaki.

4. Noodle Preparation Shirataki noodles can often have a strong smell initially. To mitigate this, boil them in plain water for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the sukiyaki to neutralize any odor.

5. Tofu Texture Tip For a chewier texture, press the tofu to remove excess moisture before slicing and adding it to the skillet. This also allows it to better absorb the flavors of the sauce.