Katsudon

Katsudon

A bowl of katsudon

Katsudon (___) is a popular Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with a pork cutlet, egg, and condiments. The name "katsudon" is a portmanteau of "tonkatsu" (pork cutlet) and "donburi" (rice bowl dish). It is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is often enjoyed as a comforting meal.

Preparation

The preparation of katsudon begins with the making of tonkatsu, which involves coating a pork cutlet in panko breadcrumbs and deep-frying it until golden brown. Once the tonkatsu is ready, it is sliced into strips and set aside.

In a separate pan, a mixture of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin is heated. Thinly sliced onions are added to the mixture and cooked until they become soft. The sliced tonkatsu is then placed on top of the onions, and beaten eggs are poured over the entire dish. The pan is covered and cooked until the eggs are just set.

The cooked mixture is then carefully placed over a bowl of steamed rice, allowing the flavorful broth to seep into the rice. Katsudon is typically garnished with scallions or mitsuba (Japanese parsley) before serving.

Variations

While the classic katsudon uses pork, there are several variations of the dish that use different types of meat or ingredients:

• Chicken katsudon - Uses chicken cutlet instead of pork.
• Beef katsudon - Uses beef cutlet.
• Katsu curry - Combines tonkatsu with Japanese curry served over rice.

Cultural Significance

Katsudon is not only a beloved dish in Japan but also holds cultural significance. It is often associated with good luck and success, particularly in the context of exams. The word "katsu" is a homophone for the Japanese word "__" which means "to win". As a result, students often eat katsudon before important exams as a form of encouragement.

Related pages

• Tonkatsu
• Donburi
• Japanese cuisine
• Panko