Japanese Beef Katsu Bowls
Japanese Beef Katsu Bowls are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender breaded beef cutlets with a crispy golden coating, served over fragrant rice and topped with fresh vegetables and savory tonkatsu sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prepping, this recipe offers a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and veggies in a single bowl with customizable options.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free panko and flour alternatives)
Beef Cutlets and Coating
- Thinly sliced beef cutlets (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Base and Sauce
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably short-grain or sushi rice)
- 1/2 cup tonkatsu sauce
Vegetables
- 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup julienned carrots
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Frying and Optional Ingredients
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying (about 1/2 inch depth)
- Soy sauce (optional, for marinade or extra flavor)
- Mirin (optional, for marinade or extra flavor)
- Prepare the Beef Cutlets: Trim and flatten the beef slices to about 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure even cooking and tender results.
- Set up the Coating Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each beef slice first in flour, then egg, then panko, pressing lightly to coat thoroughly.
- Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated beef cutlets until golden brown and crispy, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer cutlets to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Cook the Rice and Prep Veggies: Ensure the rice is hot and fluffy. Julienne the cabbage and carrots, and thinly slice the green onions for freshness and crunch.
- Assemble the Bowls: Layer warm rice at the bottom of each bowl. Arrange the sliced beef cutlets on top, add the prepared vegetables, and drizzle generously with tonkatsu sauce for a perfect finish.
Notes
- Select thin beef slices for faster cooking and tender texture.
- Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest coating and avoid stale breadcrumbs.
- Maintain medium-high heat during frying to achieve a golden, crisp crust.
- Drain fried cutlets on paper towels to keep them crispy and to prevent sogginess.
- Let cooked beef rest for a minute before slicing to keep juices locked inside.
- Serve with garnishes like pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.
- Leftovers keep best if beef cutlets are stored separately from rice and vegetables.
- Reheat beef cutlets in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave to preserve crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Japanese Beef Katsu, Katsu Bowl, Breaded Beef Cutlets, Tonkatsu Sauce, Quick Japanese Dinner, Crispy Beef Bowl, Meal Prep