First, this post may not attract tourists from abroad because it does not focus on a renowned destination or an exciting experience. Instead, it centers on our daily meal, which is not aimed at introducing or appealing to the tourism industry, but is instead a part of our genuine daily life.
Gyudon, sliced beef and onions simmered with savory sauce and served on rice, is one of the popular dishes that Japanese workers love. It is delicious and served quickly at a reasonable price, attracting many workers for their breakfast or lunch. The most popular Gyudon restaurant chain, Yoshinoya, has 1,259 shops domestically and 989 overseas, including 281 in Beijing, 180 in Indonesia, and 101 in the US, according to its company annual report in 2024. It is now getting as popular as sushi and ramen worldwide.
However, today I don’t intend to discuss how great Gyudon is. This post focuses on breakfast menus, not beloved Gyudon, at three Gyudon chain restaurants: Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya.
Gyudon started being served at Tsukiji Fish Market as breakfast for workers, sellers, and buyers who were busy selling or procuring fish for restaurant owners or chefs. That’s why the phrase “Delicious, Cheap, and Quick” gyudon resonated with the market vendors. As gyudon was attracting more people outside the market, office workers began requesting a lighter version of breakfast, feeling that gyudon was a bit too heavy for them. Consequently, the breakfast menu at the gyudon chains attracted more customers and became very popular.
Initially, the breakfast offerings at these gyudon chains were simple: pan-fried egg, natto, miso soup, and plain rice. However, they have since been enhanced and developed into something more delicious, affordable, and visually appealing than before.
Here, I show you the breakfast menu offered at the Yoshinoya restaurant. The menu consists of three dishes: miso soup and rice. You can also choose the simpler one without a dish; generally, there is no grilled salmon. One soup and one dish with rice used to be the typical Japanese breakfast.
Then I arrange my breakfast into a don, rice in a bowl, topped with various dishes. I place a half slice of grilled salmon, simmered beef, and shredded cabbage on the rice. Combining these ingredients creates complex yet delicious flavors that enhance my appetite. The oil infused from the salmon and the gravy of the simmered beef coat the rice, providing a deeper taste. My all-in-one meal also represents “Delicious, Cheap, and Quick, ” Yoshinoya’s essential policy.
My next choice is another breakfast meal at Sukiya, a rival to Yoshinoya. Sukiya always offers something new or unique on its menu and strives to surpass Yoshinoya’s sales. Sukiya’s breakfast comes with rice, miso soup, simmered beef, a small vegetable dish, nori (dried black seaweed sheet), and a fresh egg with soy sauce-based gravy. The egg and the sauce are beaten, poured over the rice, and mixed.
The rice with beaten egg is so delicious that it’s an essential dish on our morning dining table. You don’t have to worry about fresh eggs because Japanese eggs are incredibly fresh and safe to eat. I’ve never heard of anyone getting food poisoning from fresh eggs in gyudon shops.
Furthermore, I pick up a nori sheet with chopsticks and roll the rice coated with egg in the nori, making it look like hand-rolled sushi. It’s incredibly tasty and addictive! You should try it. It’s absolutely worth it.
The last one is Matsuya’s breakfast. I selected a straightforward option: rice, simmered beef, a fresh egg, and miso soup. I enjoy Matsuya’s gyudon. It’s not too salty or heavy, so I savored it in the gyudon style, with beaten egg and simmered beef topped with red vinegared ginger. It costs only 360 yen! It’s amazing. It fills me up while still saving enough money in my wallet.
If you are a budget traveler to Japan, the gyudon restaurant chains can be beneficial. Although you can enjoy a bowl of gyudon at Yoshinoya or other restaurants in your home country, I assure you that the taste differs from that in Japan, and I doubt you can savor any breakfast menu there. Please give it a try!
I am eager to enjoy breakfast with you at the Gyudon restaurant chains before we start the day’s tour. It will energize you and help you explore Tokyo and the surrounding areas with vigor. Let’s recharge with a traditional Japanese breakfast that we, the Japanese, eat daily, rather than indulge in the luxurious options at your hotel.
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