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Domburi

Japanese food has become quite well know over the past few years throughout the world. Perhaps the average Japanese citizen no longer needs to be amazed at a “foreigner’s” ability to use chopsticks and eat sushi (raw fish).

While the popularity of sushi has sky rocketed in the international scene, other more humble foods have yet to be introduced.Perhaps contrary to popular belief, the most “Japanese” of all Japanese foods is the domburi. Domburi is a general term for “bowl,” but it is also the name of a popular Japanese dish: a bowl of cooked rice with another dish placed or poured on top.

A variety of domburi exist, with the most common being Oyakodon with chicken and egg, Katsudon with pork cutlets, Tendon with Tempura (deep fried pieces of battered seafood and vegetables), and Unadon with grilled eel. Others are Tekkadon with raw tuna and Chukadon, a Chinese style domburi with vegetables, seafood, and meat. Still, the most almighty domburi out of all is the Gyu-don, a beef domburi sometimes mixed with raw egg.

When one visits Japan you'll find a Gyu-don fast food chain store on every corner. The dish is famous for being both cheap and fulfilling, and is the stereotypical salary-man’s (Japanese business man) best friend during lunch breaks. You might also befriend it as a budget traveler or exchange student traveling or studying in Japan.