donburi
Donburi is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of a hearty serving of meat, fish, or vegetables simmered together in a savory broth and served over a large bowl of steamed white rice. The mental image is a deep, ceramic bowl filled to the brim, where the delicious juices from the toppings soak down into the fluffy rice at the bottom. It is a quintessential comfort food, often found in casual diners or prepared quickly at home. While "donburi" refers to the dish itself, the suffix "-don" is frequently attached to the main ingredient to name specific varieties, such as gyudon (beef bowl) or tendon (tempura bowl). It is almost always eaten with chopsticks or a large spoon.
In conversation
Lunch break at the office
I'm starving. Should we grab a quick donburi nearby?
That sounds perfect. I could really go for a spicy chicken don right now.
The suffix '-don' is commonly used as a shorthand for donburi dishes.
Ordering at a restaurant
What can I get for you today?
I'll have the salmon donburi, please. Is it served with miso soup?
Donburi is frequently served as a complete meal alongside miso soup and pickles.
Examples
I ordered a simple donburi for lunch.
I ordered a simple donburi for lunch.
The restaurant specializes in various types of donburi, ranging from eel to pork cutlets.
The restaurant specializes in various types of donburi, ranging from eel to pork cutlets.
The secret to a great donburi lies in the balance of the dashi broth and the texture of the rice.
The secret to a great donburi lies in the balance of the dashi broth and the texture of the rice.
