Donburi (丼) — often shortened to “don” — are Japanese rice bowls topped with meat, seafood or egg over steamed rice. The most popular types include gyudon (beef), katsudon (pork cutlet and egg), oyakodon (chicken and egg) and tuna zuke don (marinated tuna). At Ichibantei in NYC’s East Village, we serve a full range of donburi from $20–$25, each with rice and miso soup.
What is donburi?
“Donburi” refers both to the deep bowl and to the dish served in it: a generous topping spooned over hot rice so every bite picks up the sauce. It is everyday Japanese food — fast, filling and endlessly varied. Below are the rice bowls you’ll find on our menu.
Types of donburi at Ichibantei
- Oyako Don ($22) – chicken, onion and egg in dashi. Read our deep dive on oyakodon.
- Gyu Don ($24) – Angus ribeye with a soy-blend sauce and wasabi
- Katsu Don ($24) – Kurobuta pork cutlet and egg over rice
- Chicken Katsu Don ($24) – crispy chicken cutlet and egg. See our katsu guide.
- Sauce Katsu Don ($24) – Kurobuta pork katsu with cabbage and katsu sauce
- Tuna Zuke Don ($25) – marinated tuna, ontama egg, nori and wasabi
- Tamago Don ($20) – tofu, onion and egg in dashi (a lighter choice)
Katsudon, oyakodon or gyudon?
Katsudon is a fried pork cutlet simmered with egg and dashi over rice. Oyakodon is chicken and egg simmered the same way. Gyudon is thinly sliced beef in a savory-sweet sauce. Katsudon is our most-ordered rice bowl.
- Katsu Don – Kurobuta pork katsu, egg and dashi, topped with nori
- Sauce Katsu Don – Kurobuta pork katsu with cabbage and katsu sauce, no egg
- Oyako Don – chicken thigh, onion and egg in dashi
- Gyu Don – beef with a savory-sweet sauce; add an ontama (soft egg)
- Tuna Zuke Don – marinated tuna, and gluten-free
What is katsudon?
Katsudon is one of Japan’s favorite comfort foods: a crispy pork cutlet simmered with onion, egg and dashi, served over rice. Because katsu sounds like the Japanese word for “to win,” students often eat it before exams for luck. Ours is made with Kurobuta pork. Order it until last orders at 2:30 AM.
Where to eat it in NYC (East Village)
You can find these dishes at Ichibantei, an authentic Japanese comfort-food restaurant and izakaya at 100 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003, in the East Village — a short walk from Union Square. We’re open until 3:00 am every night — from 5:00 pm Monday through Wednesday and from 11:00 am Thursday through Sunday. See the full Ichibantei menu, or call 917-965-2327 to ask about a table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between donburi and a regular rice bowl?
Donburi specifically means a Japanese rice bowl with a cooked topping (such as beef, pork cutlet, chicken and egg, or marinated fish) served over rice, usually with a savory-sweet sauce. The word also refers to the deep bowl it is served in.
What is the most popular donburi?
Gyudon (beef bowl), katsudon (pork cutlet and egg) and oyakodon (chicken and egg) are among the most popular. At Ichibantei all three are on the menu, each served with rice and miso soup.
What is katsudon?
Katsudon is a Japanese rice bowl of breaded pork cutlet simmered with egg and dashi. At Ichibantei it is made with Kurobuta pork and is our most-ordered rice bowl.
What is the difference between katsudon and oyakodon?
Katsudon is made with a breaded pork cutlet, while oyakodon is made with chicken. Both are simmered with egg and dashi and served over rice.
Which rice bowls are gluten-free?
Tuna Zuke Don is gluten-free. Katsu bowls are breaded in panko and are not gluten-free.
Ready to dig into a Japanese rice bowl? Browse the complete menu, or follow us on Instagram for daily specials.