Oyako don (親子丼): Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl

Oyako don (親子丼) is a very common and popular donburi (i.e. rice bowl) found everywhere in Japan.

It is a very simple dish made mainly with chicken and eggs.

The name literally translates to “Parent and child” (親子) rice bowl, and is referring to the fact that chicken and egg are like a parent and child. 😂

Read on for more interesting info about Oyako don:

Ingredients

The main ingredients of Oyako don are:

• Rice
• Chicken
• Egg

Chicken thigh is more popular in Japan, although chicken breast (or other parts) can also be used. Typically, onions are also added (although not necessary).

Green onions, green peas, or mitsuba (i.e. Japanese parsely) are commonly used as a garnish. Basically, anything green. ☘️

Standard oyako-don seasoning is made with a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, dashi, and sugar.

Location

Oyako don is easily found in restaurants all across Japan. It is also a very typical home-cooked meal due to its simplicity.

The first oyako-don is thought to be first invented at a restaurant in Tokyo (see history below):

History / Origin

The exact origin of oyako-don is under debate, although many claim it was invented in 1891 by a restaurant called Tamahide (玉ひで) in Tokyo.

It is said that the dish was inspired by sukiyaki. Customers would mix together their leftover sukiyaki broth, chicken, and egg, and eat it together with a bowl of rice.

Oyako don was initially a “delivery-only” dish as it was considered too low-class to be served in restaurants.

Eventually, the dish became so popular that they also started serving it inside the restaurant.

The original Tamahide restaurant is still in operation. If you’re in Tokyo, make sure to stop by and try an original oyakodon! (Click here for Google Maps location).

Check out this video about Tamahide restaurant by Great Big Story on Youtube:

How to Make Oyako-don

Oyako-don is fairly simple to make. All you need is chicken, egg, onion, and a few typical Japanese seasoning ingredients.

Below is a straightforward recipe via kurashiru

Simple Oyako-don Recipe (親子丼)

Course: Main, DonburiCuisine: JapaneseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Easy oyako-don recipe. Original recipe, images, and video from kurashiru

Ingredients

• Equipment

• Pot / Pan

• Chopsticks

• Bowl

• Ingredients

• Cooked rice … 400g (approx 2 bowls)

• Onion … 1

• Chicken thigh … 200g

• Egg (M size) … 2

• Cooking oil … 1 tablespoon

• Mitsuba or green onion (optional) … for garnish

• Sauce

• Cooking wine … 2 tablespoons

• Mirin … 2 tablespoons

• Dashi powder … 1 teaspoon

• Sugar … 1 tablespoon

• Soy sauce … 2 tablespoons

Directions

• Prep
• Cook some rice
• Thinly slice onions, cut chicken into bite size strips or pieces (approx 1-2cm)
• Lightly beat eggs in a bowl
• Start Cooking
• Put cooking oil in a frying pan and heat over medium heat, add in chicken and stir fry
• When chicken begins to brown, add in onions and stir fry until soft
• Add in all sauce ingredients and continue to simmer over medium heat
• When chicken is cooked through, pour in 2/3 of the lightly beaten eggs
• When eggs are half-cooked, pour in remainder of eggs, and continue heating for about 10 seconds, then remove from heat
• Scoop rice into a bowl, and layer the oyako-don on top. Garnish with mitsuba or green onion if you like.
• Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

• You can also use chicken breast instead of chicken thigh, though it won’t be as juicy
• Adjust sugar and soy sauce to your own preferences

Summary

Have you ever tried oyako-don before? What did you think of it?

Do you prefer the chicken, or the egg? 😆

Leave your thoughts and comments below!