BitterSweet

Bowl-In-One

May 10, 2021

Say you’re craving Japanese food, and most people will automatically think of sushi. Maybe ramen, or udon, but almost never a bowlful of rice garnished with ground meat. At least, that’s been my personal experience, even as a lover of all things from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Soboro donburi, also known as soboro don, is a traditional Japanese dish of lightly seasoned ground chicken served over a bed of warm sushi rice. Yes, it does have a deep rooted history in the national cuisine, dating back to the Meiji era (1868-1912) as the nation became industrialize and homemakers had less time to dabble about in the kitchen. A complete bowl-in-one was highly appealing, along with the minimalist composition that allowed these comforting meals to come together quickly and affordably.

In the spirit of thrift, any type of ground protein is a reasonable substitute that still rings true to the original concept, which is why my meatless soboro is as authentically Japanese as any other yoshoku.

Commonly accompanied by scrambled eggs and a simple green vegetable, it’s unfussy everyday fare that follows more of a blueprint than hard and fast recipe. For anyone else seeking a bite of comfort in a pinch, consider this your new go-to.

Yield: Makes 4 Servings

Meatless Soboro Donburi

Meatless Soboro Donburi

This classic yoshoku (Western-style Japanese food) bowl-in-one gets a meatless, eggless upgrade. It's an easy, healthy, and deeply comforting meal you can whip up on the fly, with pretty much anything you have on hand.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

Meatless Soboro:

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 12 Ounces Meatless Ground Beef, Crumbled Seitan, or Rehydrated TVP
  • 3 Tablespoons Mirin*
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

Tofu Egg:

  • 8 Ounces Extra-Firm Tofu, Drained and Crumbled
  • 1 Tablespoon Vegan Mayonnaise
  • 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Kala Namak (Black Salt)
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Turmeric

To Serve:

  • 4 Cups Cooked Sushi Rice
  • 1 Cup Green Peas, Snow Peas, or Green Beans, Lightly Steamed

Instructions

  1. Starting with the soboro, set a medium skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Once shimmer, add your meatless protein of choice and use your spatula to break it up. Brown thoroughly, sauteing for 8 - 10 minutes. Deglaze the pan with mirin and soy sauce, scraping the bottom of make sure there's nothing sticking; those are the most flavorful bits! Sprinkle the ginger evenly over the top, and stir to incorporate. Continue to cook for 2 - 3 more minutes until there's no liquid remaining.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the tofu egg by crumbling the tofu into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 - 4 minutes, pausing every minute to stir, until heated all the way through. Once piping hot, add the mayo, onion powder, garlic powder, kala namak, and turmeric, stirring vigorously to incorporate. The mixture should be a even shade of golden yellow throughout.
  3. To serve, divide the cooked rice between four bowls. Top with equal amounts of the soboro, tofu egg, and steamed green vegetable. Dig in!

Notes

*Mirin can be substituted with an equal amount of sake plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 604Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1414mgCarbohydrates: 75gFiber: 6gSugar: 18gProtein: 43g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: Japanese / Category: Main Dishes and Entrees

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