Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)

Soboro Don (Japanese Ground Chicken Bowl)

The Soboro Don Recipe is a traditional Japanese rice bowl dish that features flavorful and seasoned ground chicken and egg. This easy-to-make dish is served on a bed of fluffy white rice, with the chicken cooked in a delicious sweet and savory sauce. Typically garnished with green onions, it's a classic dish that's enjoyed all across Japan.

This Japanese ground chicken Soboro Don recipe is not only delicious, but also cost-effective and easy to make. My kids love the sweet and salty crumbly chicken, which they've eaten at yakitori joints and train stations throughout Japan, and refer to as "Japanese crumbly chicken." It's perfect for a quick weeknight supper that's both tasty and filling.

For the rice, you can use a cheap, idiot-proof rice cooker that keeps the rice warm for hours, making it perfect for leftover fried rice breakfasts the next day. If you can't find Mirin, a sweet Japanese rice wine, you can double the amount of sake and treble the sugar.

Not only is Soboro Don delicious, it's also a healthy and nutritious meal that's high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals. This low-fat, low-calorie meal is ideal for those watching their weight or seeking a healthy meal option. Additionally, the dish is versatile and can be made with different vegetables and meats, such as ground beef or pork.

Soboro Don Recipe is an easy-to-make, delicious and cost-effective meal that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. The perfect weeknight quick supper, it's also healthy and packed with essential nutrients. Don't be afraid to experiment with different variations of the recipe, as Soboro Don is a versatile dish that can be made to suit any taste preference.

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Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)

Author: Dee Kirk

Cook time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

The Soboro Don Recipe is a traditional Japanese rice bowl dish that features flavorful and seasoned ground chicken and egg. This easy-to-make dish is served on a bed of fluffy white rice, with the chicken cooked in a delicious sweet and savory sauce. Typically garnished with green onions, it's a classic dish that's enjoyed all across Japan.

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Ingredients

• 250g of ground (minced) chicken
• Large thumb of grated ginger
• 4 eggs
• Green beans, sliced
• 2 small cups of short grain rice
• For the sauce:
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 1.5 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

1. To make a delicious Soboro Don recipe with Japanese ground chicken, start by cooking the rice. Rinse the short grain Japanese rice thoroughly and cook it with a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.3 cups of water, preferably in a rice cooker.
2. In a separate frying pan, add the finely minced ginger and combine it with the sauce ingredients. Next, add the minced chicken to the pan and cook it on low to medium heat. Use chopsticks or tongs to stir the chicken vigorously and break it up into crumbly pieces. No oil is needed for this recipe. It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, but not to the point where it dries out.
3. Meanwhile, boil the chopped green beans in salted water until they are cooked to your liking.
4. In a non-stick pan, scramble the eggs. Some traditional Soboro Don recipes in Japan call for a tablespoon of mirin and sugar added to the egg, but this is a matter of personal preference. Plain eggs work just as well.
5. To assemble the rice bowl, place the cooked rice in a bowl and add the chicken and egg mixture on top. Separate the chicken and egg with the green beans and garnish with green onions, mitsuba, or red ginger. This Soboro Don recipe is a healthy and flavorful meal that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It can be easily customized by using different vegetables or meats such as ground beef or pork.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Soboro mean in Japanese?

Soboro refers to finely crumbled and seasoned ingredients, such as ground chicken or eggs, that are commonly used as toppings for rice dishes like Soboro Donburi. In Soboro Don, it specifically highlights the seasoned ground chicken that gives the dish its signature flavor and texture.

What is Soboro in ramen?

Soboro in ramen typically refers to crumbled, seasoned meat, such as ground chicken, added as a topping. While it’s similar in preparation to Soboro Don, the meat is paired with ramen noodles instead of rice, making it a heartier alternative.

What is the etymology of Soboro?

The term “Soboro” likely comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia “soboro-soboro,” describing the crumbly, scattered texture of ingredients like ground chicken or scrambled eggs. This texture is a key feature of Soboro Don, where the chicken is cooked to a perfect crumble.

What is Soboro in Korea?

In Korean cuisine, Soboro typically refers to Soboro bread, a sweet pastry topped with a crumbly, streusel-like crust. While unrelated to Soboro Don, the concept of a crumbly texture connects the two. However, Soboro Don remains distinctly Japanese, featuring seasoned ground chicken served over steamed rice.

What is Sanshoku Don?

Sanshoku Don, or “three-color rice bowl,” is a variation of Soboro Don that includes seasoned ground chicken, scrambled eggs, and a green vegetable like spinach or green beans. This colorful dish offers a vibrant and nutrient-packed twist on the classic Soboro Donburi.

What is Soboro?

Soboro refers to seasoned and crumbled ingredients like ground chicken or scrambled eggs, often used as toppings for rice bowls. In Soboro Don, these elements come together to create a savory, sweet, and satisfying meal.

What is Soboro Ramen?

Soboro Ramen features seasoned, crumbled meat like ground chicken or pork as a topping for ramen noodles. While the dish differs from Soboro Don, the same flavorful meat is used, showing how versatile Soboro-style cooking can be across Japanese dishes.