Oyakodon (親子丈) is a classic Japanese donburi — a rice bowl topped with chicken and egg gently simmered in a sweet-savory dashi broth. The name literally means “parent-and-child bowl,” a playful nod to the chicken and the egg sharing one dish. At Ichibantei in NYC’s East Village, our Oyako Don is built on chicken thigh, sweet onion, fluffy egg and a house dashi, finished with chopped nori over steamed rice — $22 à la carte, or $15 on the weekday lunch menu.
What is oyakodon?
Oyakodon is one of Japan’s most beloved home-style comfort foods. Bite-size pieces of chicken are simmered with onion in a dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and a touch of mirin, then beaten egg is poured over the top and cooked just until silky and barely set. The whole thing slides over a bowl of hot rice. It is quick, nourishing and deeply savory — the kind of dish many Japanese families make on a weeknight.
What’s in an authentic oyakodon
- Chicken thigh – juicier and more flavorful than breast
- Onion – simmered until sweet and soft
- Egg – the signature soft, just-set topping
- Dashi broth – soy sauce and mirin balance the savory base
- Steamed rice and chopped nori seaweed
Ichibantei’s Oyako Don
Our Oyako Don ($22) is made with chicken thigh, onion, egg, house fish broth (dashi) and chopped nori over rice, and it comes with miso soup. Want it richer? Add an ontama (slow-cooked onsen) egg for +$3. If you’re visiting midday, the same bowl appears on our weekday lunch menu for just $15 (served 11:00 am–3:30 pm). It’s one of the most popular ways to try Japanese comfort food at our East Village restaurant.
Oyakodon vs. katsudon, gyudon & other rice bowls
Oyakodon belongs to a wider family of Japanese rice bowls. If you love it, you may also enjoy katsudon (pork cutlet and egg), gyudon (simmered beef) or tuna zuke don (marinated tuna). See our full guide to Japanese rice bowls (donburi) in NYC to compare them all.
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. Lunch is served daily from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. See the full Ichibantei menu, or call 917-965-2327 to ask about a table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is oyakodon gluten-free?
Traditional oyakodon is seasoned with soy sauce, which usually contains wheat, so it is not gluten-free by default. Please let our staff know about dietary needs when you order.
Is oyakodon the same as katsudon?
No. Oyakodon tops rice with simmered chicken and egg, while katsudon uses a panko-breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet (tonkatsu) bound with egg. They share the egg-and-rice idea but taste quite different.
What does oyakodon taste like?
Savory and lightly sweet, with tender chicken, soft onion and silky egg in a comforting dashi broth over rice. It is mild and satisfying rather than spicy.
Can I get oyakodon for lunch in the East Village?
Yes. Ichibantei serves Oyako Don on the weekday lunch menu for $22 (lunch portion $15), daily from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, at 100 3rd Ave near Union Square.
Craving a comforting chicken-and-egg rice bowl? Browse the complete menu, or follow us on Instagram for daily specials.
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