Donburi (丼物) Tanindon (他人丼) – Japanese rice bowl topped with beef and egg in a savory broth

Tanindon (他人丼) is a delicious variation of donburi, where thin slices of beef are cooked in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, then topped with beaten eggs and served over a bed of rice. This dish is flavorful, comforting, and simple to make—perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal. Below is the detailed recipe to prepare this traditional Japanese dish.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 400 g thinly sliced beef (ideally tender cuts like flank or sirloin)

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

• 4 eggs

• A small handful of mitsuba (Japanese parsley) or green onions, finely chopped

• 1 cup bonito dashi (Japanese broth)

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet cooking sake)

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 cups steamed Japanese rice (ideally sushi rice)

Seasoning (Shichimi Togarashi and other spices):

• Shichimi Togarashi (七味唐辛子): a Japanese seven-spice blend including red chili, mandarin or orange zest, white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, hemp seeds, nori or aonori seaweed, and sansho berries.

• Sansho berries: This spice adds a fresh citrusy, lemony, and woody aroma with a hint of menthol and a slight spicy kick, perfect for bringing a refreshing note to the dish.

Cooking steps:

1. Prepare ingredients: slice the onion thinly. Chop mitsuba or green onions finely. Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl.

2. Prepare the sauce: mix dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves completely.

3. Cook onion and beef: heat a little vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion and cook until tender and slightly golden. Add beef slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until cooked through but tender.

4. Add sauce and simmer: reduce heat to medium-low, pour sauce mixture over beef, and stir to coat well. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.

5. Add eggs: slowly pour beaten eggs over the beef, spreading evenly. Cook for a few minutes until eggs start to set but remain creamy.

6. Finish and garnish: once eggs are cooked to your liking, remove pan from heat. Garnish with mitsuba or green onions for freshness and color.

7. Assemble donburi: serve steamed Japanese rice in bowls and top with beef and egg mixture. Pour some sauce over rice to soak up flavors.

8. Serve: sprinkle with sansho berries and optionally some shichimi togarashi for extra spice and complexity. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Tips for perfect Tanindon:

• Meat choice: pick tender cuts like flank or sirloin. Thin slices cook quickly while staying tender.

• Rice: Japanese rice is key, steamed to achieve sticky texture ideal for absorbing beef and egg flavors.

• Seasoning: shichimi togarashi and sansho berries add flavor complexity. Adjust seasoning to your preferred level of spiciness and freshness.

Conclusion:

Tanindon is a comforting and flavorful Japanese dish, perfect for family meals or gatherings with friends. The combination of tender beef, creamy eggs, and fragrant rice creates a unique culinary experience that will delight your taste buds. Whether you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine or a beginner, this dish is easy to make and will transport you straight to the heart of Japan.