Here’s a delicious selection of donburi (Japanese rice bowl) recipes you can make on a busy weeknight. From oyakodon and gyudon to chicken katsu donburi and vegetarian poke, you’ll find plenty of favorites to enjoy at home.

A Japanese donburi bowl containing Oyakodon, chicken and egg rice bowl.

Donburi rice bowls are the ultimate Japanese comfort meal. A bowl of steamed rice topped with meat, seafood, or vegetables makes for a wholesome one-dish dinner. In Japan, you’ll even find fast food chains dedicated to donburi because they’re quick, filling, and satisfying.

I love making them at home too—they’re weeknight-friendly, flexible with seasonal or leftover ingredients, and always a family favorite. Here are my most popular donburi recipes to enjoy any day of the week.

Namiko Hirasawa Chen

My Tips for Enjoying Donburi

  • Use freezer rice. I like to store leftover cooked rice in the freezer so I can quickly reheat it for easy donburi assembly on busy nights.
  • Make it well-balanced. To round out the meal, pair your donburi with a simple green or salad, some pickles, and a bowl of miso soup.

Which donburi recipes have you tried at home? Do you have a favorite? Share in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.

A Japanese donburi bowl containing Oyakodon, chicken and egg rice bowl.

Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

4.71 from 639 votes
Oyakodon is a beloved Japanese home-cooked rice bowl. Tender chicken, onions, and eggs are simmered in a savory, umami-rich sauce and poured over fluffy steamed rice. Simple, delicious, and comforting, it’s a one-bowl meal you can make in under 30 minutes.
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“Easily one of my favorite Japanese dishes and one of the simplest and cheapest to make!” – Nicholas S

A donburi rice bowl containing gyudon, simmered beef and onions over steamed rice.

Gyudon (Japanese Beef Rice Bowl)

Thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a savory-sweet sauce make Gyudon one of Japan’s most popular donburi. I love topping it with a beaten egg for extra protein and finishing with pickles and scallions for a pop of color and freshness.
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A donburi rice bowl containing gyudon, simmered beef and onions over steamed rice.

Gyudon (Japanese Beef Rice Bowl)

4.73 from 510 votes
With thinly sliced beef and tender onions simmered in a savory-sweet sauce and spooned over steamed rice, Gyudon (Japanese Beef Rice Bowl) is synonymous with comfort. It's is a simple, satisfying meal that's ready in 20 minutes!
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“This was so delicious, and so easy, I can’t believe I haven’t been making it regularly before now! Thank you for the recipe!” – HMJ

A white bowls containing savory pan-fried tofu, cucumber, avocado, edamame, carrot, red cabbage, and watermelon radish over brown rice.

Vegan Poke Bowl

4.69 from 35 votes
This Vegan Poke Bowl is my go-to for a healthy, satisfying meal. Pan-fried tofu, colorful vegetables, and nutty brown rice come together in just 20 minutes.
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“Loved the recipe and the cooking process! easy and delicious with a mix of japanese and tropical flavors!” – Joana

A white large donburi bowl containing steamed rice topped with chicken katsu, egg, and onion cooked in the savory seasoning.

Chicken Katsudon

4.84 from 72 votes
Chicken Katsudon is a beloved Japanese cutlet rice bowl for all ages. In my easy recipe, I shallow-fry breaded chicken tenders until golden and crispy, then simmer them with eggs in a savory-sweet dashi broth and serve over steaming rice. Comforting and delicious!
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“I have make adjustments to to sauce as we cannot have alcohol. I used chicken with a fish sauce and a bit extra sugar. My grandkids ate this for the first time and they loved it.” – Chez

A Japanese rice bowl containing Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi topped with julienned shiso and toasted sesame seeds.

Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi

4.70 from 240 votes
Thinly sliced eggplant seared to golden perfection, coated in sweet soy sauce, and served over warm rice. This is hands-down one of the most luxurious vegan rice bowls you can whip up for a weeknight dinner.
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“This is my new favorite eggplant dish! It was so easy, even on a busy weeknight.” – SL

A bowl containing mapo tofu over steamed rice.

Mapo Tofu (Mabo Dofu)

4.76 from 329 votes
Silken tofu and ground pork are cooked in a rich, savory sauce and served over rice in this Japanese Mapo Tofu recipe. Milder and less spicy than the Sichuan-style version, it’s perfect for a bold, comforting meal the whole family can enjoy.
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“I just made this w/out the doubanjiang because we don’t care for spicy. I also added green beans and oyster mushrooms to the recipe. It is a keeper!” – Deb

A white bowl containing pork curry over steamed rice.

Pork Curry Donburi

4.75 from 20 votes
You’ll need fewer than five ingredients to make this flavorful curry rice bowl. I love swapping the pork for chicken, beef, or pan-fried tofu to suit whatever you have on hand.
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“I’ve cooked so many wonderful recipes from this blog. I love regular curry, but this is even better (and faster, easier prep).” – Maggie

Assorted tempura served on a bed of steamed rice in a red lacquered bowl.

Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowl)

4.60 from 10 votes
Golden, crispy shrimp and vegetable tempura are served over steamed rice and drizzled with tentsuyu in this Ten Don recipe. I love enjoying it for a special Saturday night dinner, along with a bowl of miso soup and a refreshing side salad for a complete meal.
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“Piping-hot shrimp tempura on a bed of rice is absolute bliss.” – Kimmi

A bowl containing Soboro Don (seasoned ground chicken and scrambled egg over rice).

Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)

4.77 from 152 votes
Soboro Don is colorful, nutritious, and super easy to make. I call it the ‘happy meal’ for my children, and it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket if you have little kids at home.
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“A few years back, I ate this dish at a SF Peninsula Japanese restaurant and longed for a recipe. JOC had one and it matched the deliciousness I had remembered. JOC is my go to for authentic and delicious Japanese food.” – Ron R

A black bowl containing a bed of rice topped with sashimi grade salmon, ikura, and shredded nori.

Salmon Sashimi Bowl (Donburi) with Ikura

4.80 from 15 votes
This Salmon Sashimi Bowl combines fresh sashimi salmon and ikura fish roe in a casual donburi style, perfect for Japanese home cooking. If the rice is cooked in advance, you can assemble this delicious bowl in just 15 minutes.
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“My husband is a huge fan of salmon and ikura and we both loved this donburi recipe!” – Janice

A white plate containing Stir-Fried Garlic Chives and Egg Over Rice.

Niratama Donburi (Stir-Fried Garlic Chives and Egg over Rice)

4.81 from 31 votes
Soft, fluffy scrambled eggs with garlic chives served over steaming rice make Niratama Don a homey and comforting meal. The distinctive flavor of garlic chives defines this simple dish, and you can find them at your local Asian grocery store. If needed, substitute with regular chives, spinach, or other greens.
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“Wow, this came out amazing!! Super simple and I was surprised at how well the eggs and chives cooked.” – Alexandra S

A donburi bowl containing grilled eel fillet over steamed rice.

Unadon (Unagi Don)

4.79 from 64 votes
Unagi is a true Japanese specialty. Sweet, caramelized sauce over perfectly grilled eel and warm rice makes Unagi Don simply irresistible. At home, you can use pre-grilled or vacuum-packed unagi for a delicious meal with minimal effort.
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“This was mind-blowingly delicious. The eel is just so flaky and easy to eat with chopsticks. Thanks for helping me pretend I know what I’m doing in the kitchen.” – Alex

A bowl containing ahi tuna and salmon poke along with edamame, avocado, sushi ginger, and radish over bed of steamed rice.

Poke Bowl

4.77 from 60 votes
Bring the flavors of Hawaii closer to home with my creative and refreshing Poke Bowl recipe. I season the freshest salmon and tuna sashimi with Japanese flavors and serve it donburi style over rice. It’s a light and satisfying dish that’s easy to customize!
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“Thank you so much for this recipe! This is the first time I’ve made/ eaten a Poke Bowl and I am huge fan now! The flavor combination and textures are something I’ve never tasted before and it was pure deliciousness with each bite!” – Kyo 

A bowl containing simmered beef over steamed rice.

Yoshinoya Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

4.78 from 232 votes
Savory, juicy sliced beef served over steamed rice makes this Yoshinoya Beef Bowl, a weeknight favorite that’s easy to make and full of flavor.
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“Thank you! I am transported back to Japan! Such a simple recipe with such a nostalgic and rich taste.” – Nina

A donburi bowl containing baked katsudon.

Baked Katsudon (Japanese Crispy Baked Cutlet Rice Bowl)

4.82 from 74 votes
Crispy pork cutlet and a runny egg simmered in savory broth over hot steamed rice make this Baked Katsudon pure comfort. Follow my tips for baked tonkatsu that stays juicy and extra crunchy—just as good as deep-fried!
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“Being GF, I made this tonight by simply browning the pork and by-passing both my gluten free panko and my temperamental oven. It rivaled what I loved when I lived in Japan!” – Cindy

Eggplant & Unagi Over Rice in a Japanese blue and white bowl.

Eggplant Unagi Donburi

4.76 from 25 votes
Hearty and savory rice bowl with unagi (eel) and eggplant! This Eggplant Unagi Donburi is a really great rice bowl that won’t disappoint. It’s easy to make and packed with amazing flavors.
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“Hello! I really liked the recipe. I didn’t have unagi so I subbed with mackerel like one of the comments said and it really does work out well.” – Jenny

A white bowl containing Chukadon (Seafood and Vegetable Stir Fry Over Rice).

Chukadon (Chinese-Style Rice Bowl)

4.77 from 26 votes
Stir-fried seafood, meat, and vegetables cooked in a savory soy-infused sauce make this Chinese-style rice bowl taste just like your favorite take-out. It’s easy and satisfying to make at home.
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“I made this the other evening, but substituted the pork and shrimp with chicken breast. Otherwise, we followed the recipe exactly, and it was absolutely delicious.” – Brenda

A Japanese bowl containing steamed rice, topped with soy-caramelized pork slices and pickled red ginger.

Butadon (Pork Donburi)

4.74 from 53 votes
A specialty of Hokkaido, Japan, Butadon is a rice bowl dish topped with grilled pork slices and caramelized soy sauce. The sweet and savory flavor is a major win! Easy to make and ready in 15 minutes. 
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This was easy once I tried to make and my husband couldn’t eat enough! Plus my 2 picky eaters enjoyed! Fantastic recipe!” – Samantha

A donburi bowl containing crispy tonkatsu over rice topped with tonkatsu sauce.

Crispy Tonkatsu Donburi

4.59 from 12 votes
Super crunchy, juicy Japanese pork cutlet served over steamed rice and shredded cabbage makes this Crispy Tonkatsu Donburi irresistible. Drizzle with Japanese mayo and tonkatsu sauce to taste—this rice bowl will get everyone to the table in seconds!
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“I just made this for dinner party of 3 families. It was a big hit! I served it with your miso soup with clams. Also a hit!” – Grace

A Japanese donburi bowl containing Tanindon, which is simmered beef and egg over steamed rice.

Tanindon (Beef and Egg Rice Bowl)

Quick and delicious, this Beef and Egg Rice Bowl called Tanindon is comfort food at its best. With thinly sliced beef and eggs cooked in a savory-sweet sauce and served over steamed rice, you’ll devour every bite!
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A Japanese donburi bowl containing Tanindon, which is simmered beef and egg over steamed rice.

Beef and Egg Bowl (Tanindon)

4.84 from 25 votes
Quick and delicious, this Beef and Egg Rice Bowl called Tanindon is comfort food at its best. With thinly sliced beef and eggs cooked in a savory-sweet sauce and served over steamed rice, you’ll devour every bite!
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“This recipe was is by far the best one I’ve come across and the most tastiest! I’m a student studying Japanese culture and food so I came across this recipe and made it in school to serve to my class and they all loved it and so did I.” – Hunter

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 6, 2017. It was updated on September 30, 2024, with more helpful information for readers.