Today, I decided to write a long-awaited (?) post on Japan\u2019s beef bowls: gy\u016bdon\u00a0\u00a0With its remarkable simplicity, this bowl of rice seasoned with thinly sliced beef and glazed onion, it\u2019s hard to find anyone who isn\u2019t a fan… The generally sober seasoning allows for a better appreciation of the unique flavour of the rice itself, and it\u2019s hard to say no to its low price. No matter how tight a backpacker\u2019s budget might be, I would still proudly recommend gy\u016bdon\u00a0as one of Japan\u2019s must-try national dishes.<\/p>\n
However! Most restaurants include rice and baked fish, miso soup, eggs, natt\u014d or nori, as an exemplary Japanese breakfast should be. These courses, too, are available at a considerably accessible price. One could even say that it is perfectly acceptable to have a gy\u016bdon for breakfast, and then another one at noon. This would be a typically Japanese culinary experience.<\/p>\n
Japanese gy\u016bdon chains<\/h2>\n
No matter where you go in Japan, there will always be a gy\u016bdon restaurant around. They can be found close to the larger train stations, or in shopping streets.<\/p>\n
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- Yoshinoya<\/li>\n
- Matsuzaka<\/li>\n
- Sukiya<\/li>\n
- Nakau<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The most well-known chains are these four and, naturally, all of them are represented within the Hiroshima city centre.<\/p>\n[Header] Which is cheapest?<\/p>\n
- \n
- Yoshinoya Normal serving \u00a5352(+vat) 652 kcal<\/li>\n
- Sukiya Normal serving \u00a5350 (743 kcal)<\/li>\n
- Matsuya Normal, premium beef serving \u00a5380 (Standard beef serving available at \u00a5320)<\/li>\n
- Nakau Normal serving \u00a5380<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Matsuya offers both premium and standard beef, but which type is available depends on the restaurant. Based on their standard beef outlets, this chain might be the cheapest.<\/p>\n
If I were to comment on each of the chains…<\/p>\n
Yoshinoya: the one preferred by most people in terms of taste. (I\u2019m mostly a Matsuya fan, however. More on that below)
\nMatsuya: makes me happy because they offer free miso soup with every gy\u016bdon!
\nSukiya: so many options!
\nNakau: as I explain further down, rather then for their gy\u016bdon, I would recommend this chain for their oyakodon!<\/p>\n\u00a0Which is closest to the hostel?<\/h2>\n
The closest to our hostel would be the Nakau restaurant in Tokamachi.<\/p>\n