If someone asks what are my go-to quick meals, I’d probably say donburi. Donburi refers to a Japanese rice bowl dish that’s topped with savory meat, seafood, tofu, or vegetables. The most popular donburi—or “don” for short—are Gyudon and Oyakodon. Today I’m here to introduce another favorite called Beef and Egg Rice Bowl, or Tanindon (他人丼).
What is Tanindon?
Tanindon (他人丼) is a classic donburi dish made with beef or pork with sliced onion and egg cooked in a savory-and-slightly sweet sauce and served atop of steamed rice. It is like a cousin to both gyudon and oyakodon. Let’s see the difference:
Gyudon – beef and onion slices are simmered in dashi broth and served over steamed rice. Oyakodon – chicken and onion slices are simmered in dashi broth, topped with drizzle of eggs, and served over steamed rice. Tanindon – beef or pork and onion slices are simmered in dashi broth, topped with beaten eggs, and served over steamed rice.
Tanin (他人) literally means “outsider, stranger, or unrelated person” in Japanese language, so tanin-don is a playful reference to oyakodon (oyako means “parent and child”). Contrary to oyakodon, which uses chicken and egg, tanindon is made with egg and an unrelated meat, which is beef (or pork).
Tanindon vs. Kaikadon
On the topic of names, this donburi dish can also be called differently depending on the regions in Japan on account of the historical background. People in western Japan, such as the Osaka area, call the rice bowl Tanindon and they prefer beef over pork as the choice of meat. However, in eastern Japan such as Tokyo area, it goes by the name of Kaikadon (開化丼) and either beef or pork is used. Kaika means civilization in Japanese. The name has to do with the start of Japan’s modernization and the consumption of beef in the Meiji era, but let’s save the details before it gets too confusing. Most importantly, you know what to order from the menu when you’re in Japan.
How to Make Tanindon
Ingredients You’ll Need
Onion Thinly-sliced beef – I highly recommend ribeye or chuck. You can’t buy thinly sliced meat at a Japanese/Asian grocery store? Slice your own! Eggs Green onions Dashi (Japanese soup stock) – New to dashi? Read this post first. You can make this soup stock with dashi powder, dashi packet, or from scratch. Seasonings – soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar Steamed rice Pickled red ginger
Overview: Cooking Steps
5 Tips to Make Beef and Egg Bowl
Flash freeze the beef (for 10 minutes) until the surface of the meat hardens for easy slicing. Slice the onion thinly so that it will cook faster. Spread the onion slices in the pan and put the meat on top. Use a tight-fitting lid so the simmering broth will not evaporate and you’ll have a sauce to spoon over steamed rice. Slowly drizzle a small amount of the beaten eggs over the simmering beef. Place your cooking chopsticks at the edge of the bowl that contains the beaten eggs. This will help drizzle the eggs. Do not mix the eggs with beef.
Quick Side Dishes to Serve with Tanindon
Tanindon is a fulfilling dish on its own so you don’t have to pair it with anything. However, if you would like to serve the rice bowl with one or two side dishes, here are my recommendations:
Vegetable Miso Soup Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono) Okra with Ginger Soy Sauce Broccoli Blanched with Sesame Oil Spinach with Sesame Miso Sauce
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