[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (2024)

This post is also available in 日本語

“Gyudon” (beef bowl) is a dish in which thinly sliced meat and onions are boiled in sweet and spicy sauce, made of soy sauce etc., and laid on a bed of rice. It is also called “Gyumeshi”.

Famous fast food chain restaurants for “gyudon” in urban areas include “Yoshinoya”, “Matsuya”, and “Sukiya”. On this occasion, we looked at how to use “Yoshinoya” and some recommended ways of enjoying it.

Contents

What is “Yoshinoya”?

This is the first “fast food chain for Japanese food” to appear in Japan. It was founded in Nihonbashi, Tokyo in 1899. Currently, there are 1,218 branches domestically, and 944 branches overseas.(As of June, 2020)

Tasty, cheap and fast

They have been providing “gyudon” for more than 120 years, based on the concept of “Tasty, cheap, and fast”. They have a rich line-up of menu items including, not only gyudon, but also “Gyu-karubi don” (Grilled Beef Rib Bowl) and “Una-ju” (Broiled Eel and Rice Box). You can “eat in” or buy the food “to go”. There are also stores that do delivery. It is also possible to buy it via mail order.

Commitment to good beef

In “Yoshinoya”, they use the part of the meat known as “short plate”, which has a good balance between lean and fatty meat, making it ideal for “gyudon”. They also import “grainfed beef” from North-America, which has a less distinctive odor than the meat from cows raised in pastures only.

Flow from entrance to exit

At Yoshinoya, you order at your seat and they bring the food to you there.

Securing a seat

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (1)

There is no ticket vending machine in Yoshinoya. Once you enter the store, find an empty seat in which to sit. There may be seats specified as being unavailable for use, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Once you are sat down, the attendant will bring you tea or water. If you have already decided what you would like to order, you can place your order at that time.

Ordering

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Choose what you would like to eat from the menu on the table.

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (3)

You can choose from six sizes of rice.

Once you have chosen what you would like to order, call the attendant over. Things will work smoothly if you state what you would like in the following order.

  1. Name of the dish
  2. Size
  3. Topping

If you load the QR code from the menu sheet, you can view the menu in English, Chinese, or Korean.

Eat

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (4)

The food will be brought to your table.

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (5)

Red pickled ginger and “Shichimi Togarashi” (a mixture of red cayenne pepper and other aromatic spice) are available free of charge. Feel free to use these as toppings.

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (6)

You can also find chopsticks at the table. Tell the attendant if you need a spoon.

Settling the Bill

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Once you have finished eating, take your bill to the cash register, and pay for your food. You can also call the attendant and pay at the table.

Secret menu

“Yoshinoya gyudon” has several secret menu items. Find the “gyudon” that you like the best.

Tsuyu-daku (extra soup)

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (8)

They will add extra soup to your meal. This is a popular secret menu item.

Tsuyu-nuki (no soup)

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (9)

Your dish will come without soup.

Negi-nuki (no onions)

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (10)

Your dish will come without onions

“Gyudon” arrangements! Best ways to eat it

Recommendations from the President of Yoshinoya

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (11)
  1. Order “tsuyu-nuki” gyudon, egg, miso soup, o-shinko (pickles)
  2. Borrow an egg separator from the attendant, and separate the yolk from the white
  3. Pour the white into the miso soup and stir
  4. Pour the yolk over the rice and stir into the rice, place the pickles on top, and add “Shichimi Togarashi”
[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (12)

This combines the softness of the gyudon, the crunchiness of o-shinko, and the spicy taste of the “Shichimi Togarashi”.

Staff recommendation

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (13)

Add “Tororo (grated yam)” topping to “Gyudon”

This is an exquisite dish that combines tororo grated yam with gyudon. This is recommended for hot summer weather, when you tend to have less appetite.

Add “Cheese” topping to “Negi-tama-gyudon (Beef Bowl with Toppings of Green Onions and Raw Egg)”

This combines chewy green onions and cheese. Many people find that this becomes addictive.

“Take-out” – four ways of ordering –

Store

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Order from the counter marked “Take-out” within the store.

Smartphone

You can order in advance using your smartphone and go and pick it up at the store (you can also use PCs or feature phones). Search for a store where “Smartphone-only advance take-out order” is possible, by doing a “Store Locator” from the official site, and order from this dedicated site.
https://stores.yoshinoya.com/en/search?g=true&servicesAvailable=5292563

Telephone

You can order in advance by telephone and go and pick it up at the branch. They may not take orders by phone during busy times. Leave plenty of time when you make the order. Search for stores that allow “Take-out” by doing a “Store Locator” from the official site.
https://stores.yoshinoya.com/en/search?q=&servicesAvailable=5390633

Drive-through

It is possible to use drive-through at certain stores. Search for stores that allow “Drive-Through” by doing a “Store Locator” from the official site.
https://stores.yoshinoya.com/en/search?q=&servicesAvailable=3808092

We interviewed

YOSHINOYA CO., LTD.
A major chain restaurant whose main product is gyudon (Beef Bowl).
https://www.yoshinoya.com/en/
https://act.qrtranslator.com/0016000011/000001

* Shows the menu/price as of July 14, 2020

[Gyudon / Yoshinoya] How tos and Menu recommended by the president | Living in JAPAN (2024)

FAQs

Is gyudon popular in Japan? ›

It may sometimes also be served with toppings such as raw or soft poached eggs, Welsh onions (negi), grated cheese or kimchi. A popular food in Japan, it is commonly eaten with beni shōga (pickled ginger), shichimi (ground chili pepper), and a side dish of miso soup.

How much does gyudon cost in Japan? ›

A regular-sized Gyudon costs only JPY400. The price of set menu of Gyudon with side dishes such as Miso soup and green salad is about JPY600 to JPY800.

Is Yoshinoya famous in Japan? ›

Yoshinoya, known for its beef bowl restaurants in Japan, is a leading Japanese fast food chain founded in 1899.

Who is the competitor of Yoshinoya in Japan? ›

Yoshinoya competitors and alternatives
  • Coco's. Chain of limited service restaurant offering Japanese food. ...
  • BYO. Group of limited service restaurants offering Japanese cuisine. ...
  • SUKIYA. Restaurant chain serving Japanese food. ...
  • COLOWIDE. ...
  • Hiramatsu. ...
  • Zetton Corporation. ...
  • Family Family. ...
  • OHSHO.
Jun 19, 2024

What is Japan's most famous beef dish? ›

Beef Sukiyaki

This traditional Japanese beef dish combines vegetables, noodles, and beef simmered in a flavorful broth made with dashi, mirin, and soy sauce.

Is food cheaper in Japan than the US? ›

When it comes to food costs, it depends on whether you prefer to dine out or cook at home. The price of groceries in Japan are approximately 18% higher than the United States. Restaurant prices in the United States are approximately 45% higher than in Japan.

How much is an average meal in Japan in US dollars? ›

Costs for a three-course meal for one person can range anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 yen (about $45 to $90 USD), or even higher, at more expensive places.

How much money is enough to live in Japan? ›

The estimated living cost in Japan will be around 280,000 – 600,000 YEN. It's important to note that this is just an estimate. The actual cost of living in Japan can vary depending on several factors, such as which city you choose to live in, like Tokyo, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Chiba, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, etc.

Who owns Yoshinoya? ›

Founded by Mr Eikichi Matsuda, Yoshinoya is named after his hometown, Yoshino-Cho, Osaka.

What does Yoshinoya mean in English? ›

Etymology and logo. The kanji 吉 (yoshi) means "luck" in Japanese, the kanji 野 (no) means "field", and the kanji 家 (ya) means "house". The founder of the company, Eikichi Matsuda (松田栄吉), was from the former town of Yoshino (吉野町) in Osaka Prefecture, and a belief predominates that Yoshino is the origin of the name.

Who is the CEO of Yoshinoya? ›

Here's a quote from Jon Gilliam, CEO of Yoshinoya, “At Yoshinoya, our number one goal is to provide affordable, freshly prepared, delicious Japanese-inspired cuisine to our customers and Boba brings another layer to our menu with flavorful, on-trend beverages.

What is KFC called in Japan? ›

In Japan, KFC is known as Kentakkii 「ケンタッキー」and is especially popular during the Christmas season, to the point of becoming a cultural phenomenon.

What is the number one fast food chain in Japan? ›

With a staggering revenue of 3,523 billion yen, Japan McDonald's HD stands as the undisputed leader in the Japanese fast food arena. And Yes, Japanese people do eat at McDonald's. In fact, McDonald's is popular in Japan and offers menu items unique to Japanese tastes.

Is KFC fancy in Japan? ›

KFC itself in Japan is seen as one of the more “high end” fast food chains. And it just happened to fill a convenient hole for this (at the time) new, special, curious, Western tradition in Japan. outside.

What is the most popular junk food in Japan? ›

Jagariko

One of the most popular snacks in Japan, Jagariko are brittle potato sticks in a cup with a peel-off lid. Among the wide array of flavors, you're sure to find a favorite!

Is Kobe beef popular in Japan? ›

Kobe Beef is a prized Japanese delicacy and probably the most widely-known regional specialty food in Japan. It is one of several breeds of Wagyu, or Japanese cattle, which are bred throughout the country and often associated with the area where they are raised.

What is the most consumed meat in Japan? ›

The most popular type of meat by far in Japan is pork. Nearly as much pork is consumed as chicken and beef combined.

What is the number one beef in Japan? ›

Japan's "top three" wagyu brands — specifically Matsusaka Ushi, Kobe Beef, and Ohmi Beef — all hail from the Kansai region of Japan. While their bloodlines all trace their origins to Tajima beef, a subspecies of Japanese Black cattle from Hyogo Prefecture, each of these wagyu brands boasts a unique flavor profile.

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