Donburi is an inexpensive meal. It is a large bowl of hot, steamed rice with a mixture of vegetables, meat or fish. Like soba noodle dishes, donburi is eaten with various, interchangeable toppings. The price may be little but the dish is big and filling.

Oyako donburi is a better-known dish. It consists of egg, chicken and vegetables over rice. Oyako means mother and child. Paul Simon named the song ‘Mother and Child Reunion’ after this dish.

Donburi shops are located all over Japan. Each region and/or town has a speciality. The dish can vary per season too. The eel is a popular dish in the summer. The dish is said to help people stand the summer heat.

Japanese students and office workers love gyudon (beef bowl). Beef simmered in broth is served over steamed rice. Matsuya and Yoshinoya “fast food” restaurants which sell this dish are located everywhere in Japan.

Try cooking donburi at home. It is fast and easy. There a link to an okayo donburi recipe to the right.

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Use this rice cooker for prefect rice. The sensor automatically turns off when done and on turns the warmer. The rice cooker can keep the cooked rice warm for hours with out burning or drying. The stainless steel exterior is modern. The interior bowl cleans easily. The cooker holds up to twenty cups. Rival is a trusted name in kitchen products. This rice cooker sells for US$29.99.

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