Oyakodon

Despite the somewhat harrowing translation “parent and child donburi,” oyakodon is absolutely delicious.

This title comes from the fact that oyakodon is a donburi — a family of Japanese rice bowls — with both chicken and egg, or “parent and child.” A little bit stark, perhaps, but extremely tasty.

It consists of a chicken, egg, and green onions simmered together in a sauce made of some ubiquitous Japanese flavors: dashi, mirin, and soy sauce with a bit of sugar, all together creating that complex, addictingly craveable sweet-and-savory flavor that shows up in so much Japanese home cooking.

The basic process is simple: combine the sauce ingredients until the sugar is dissolved, add sliced onions if you’re including them, add cut-up chicken thighs and simmer; near the end, drizzle slightly mixed eggs over the top along with chopped scallions and continue simmering until your preferred doneness. Pour over steamed rice, and enjoy!

With its minimal equipment (and cleanup!), usage of everyday staples, ease to make, and delicious, hearty flavor, it’s easy to see how oyakodon became a beloved Japanese comfort food.