Oyakodon is a comforting Japanese rice bowl dish made with chicken, egg, and onions simmered in a sweet and savory broth, then served over a bowl of warm rice. The name “Oyakodon” literally means “parent-and-child rice bowl” — a poetic reference to the use of both chicken and egg in the dish.
In this recipe, we’ll be using a special pan called an oyako-nabe, which is designed to make perfect single servings of this iconic dish. The result? Beautifully soft eggs with a delicate balance of white and yellow, and tender chicken in a flavorful broth — all made in just one pan.
Ingredients (1 serving)
・80g chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
・40g onion (thinly sliced)
・2 eggs (crack into separate bowls and roughly mix each)
・1 serving of rice
・Mitsuba (roughly chopped)
Broth (warishita)
・50ml water
・2 teaspoons soy sauce
・2 teaspoons mirin
・1/2 teaspoon sugar
・A pinch of granulated soup stock
How to make it
1.Preparation Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and thinly slice onion. Crack two eggs into separate bowls and mix lightly. (Don't mix too much to create a beautiful contrast between white and yellow when cooked.)
2.Put all the ingredients for the broth into the pot you will be using to simmer the ingredients, then add the onion and chicken and heat it up. Once it boils, turn the heat down to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
3.Add the eggs and mitsuba . First pour the first egg over the mixture. You can cover it with a lid, but you can also adjust the heat without a lid if you like. When the egg is soft-boiled, sprinkle the mitsuba over the second egg, then immediately turn off the heat and let it cook until fluffy with the residual heat.
4.Finishing and plating : Serve rice in a bowl and slide the ingredients directly from the oyako nabe onto the plate. It's also delicious if you garnish with some mitsuba.
Conclusion
Using an oyako-nabe helps you control the cooking process and create that perfect fluffy texture every time. Even though this dish is simple, it delivers rich flavor and comfort in every bite. Try making Oyakodon for a quick yet heartwarming Japanese meal!
