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Here are some of the most popular donburi in Japan for you to try: It was then a bowl of rice served with grilled eel and seasoned with a caramelized soy sauce, unagi-don (abbreviated as una-don ). It is believed that donburi as presented now dates from the early nineteenth century. Perhaps the first concept of fast food in Japan! The city of Edo (the future Tokyo) then had a large community of often single artisans and this dish was very popular amongst the locals, for its generous and tasty quality but also its simplicity quickly prepared and easy eating.
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Later, in the Edo period (1603-1867), restaurants called “ kendon-ya”, specialized in this unique dish served in a bowl which was named “ kendonburi-bachi” and was then abbreviated to donburi-bachi then quite simply " donburi". It was a vegetarian dish served in the temples. It was then named houhan, a bowl of rice covered in vegetables with a broth poured over it. We trace the origin of donburi to the Muromachi period (1330-1570). Note that even if there are recipes more popular than the others, anyone can create their personal donburi with the desired ingredients, this practice even has a name: passonaru-don, from English " personal-donburi". The bowl is usually served with its lid on, to retain the heat and steam but also to allow the ingredients and their sauce to permeate the rice for added flavor. This makes it quick and easy to prepare and easy to eat and very filling. What is special about this dish is that the rice and ingredients are all in the same bowl, unlike typical Japanese habits where white rice is served on the side. These ingredients are often cooked with beaten eggs in an omelet with thin slices of onions. This sauce varies by region and season, but it is mainly made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. It is filled with plain white rice and crowned with a garnish of meat, vegetables, and/or fish simmered together in a sauce. It is a large bowl that is approximately 15cm in diameter and 8.5cm in height and can hold approximately 900ml. Generally, it is sometimes called donburi-mono (literally "things in a bowl").
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The word donburi, sometimes abbreviated as don, literally means " big bowl " in Japanese.
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