Buta Don (豚丼) is a classic Japanese donburi (rice bowl) dish made with pork belly or thinly sliced pork, cooked in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake, often enhanced with aromatics like ginger and onion. It’s simple, deeply satisfying, and a perfect introduction to Japanese home cooking.
Traditionally, Buta Don is prepared on the stovetop, with the pork cooked in a sweet-savory sauce and the rice made separately. This rice cooker version is perfect for those days when you want everything cooked together in one pot. Simply layer the ingredients, press a button, and let the rice cooker do all the work. In less than an hour, you’ll have tender, flavorful pork and perfectly seasoned rice. This is the easiest Buta Don you’ll ever make.
If you want the stovetop method, you can click here for the recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Short-grain Japanese rice – other grains of rice will work as well but it won’t be as sticky
- Thinly sliced pork (belly or shoulder is best)
- Onion, thinly sliced
- Soy sauce – for salty umami
- Mirin – for mild sweetness and gloss
- Dashi powder – optional but adds more flavor and depth to dish
- Sugar – balances the savory elements
- Grated ginger – balances out the pork flavor
- Grated garlic – optional, but adds flavor
- Sesame oil – optional but for flavor
- Optional toppings: green onions, soft-boiled egg, shichimi togarashi, or pickled ginger
Tips & Variations
- Spicy Buta Don: Add chili oil or shichimi togarashi for heat.
- Egg Topping: Add a soft-boiled or onsen egg for extra richness.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, carrots, or greens go well with the sauce.
- Ground Pork Option: For a budget-friendly twist, try ground pork instead of sliced.
Buta Don FAQ
What kind of pork should I use?
Pork belly is traditional, but shoulder or loin also works. There’s also “komagire” which is a mix of thinly sliced meat usually from pork belly, should, rib, etc. Thin slices are key for quick cooking and tenderness.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Store the pork and sauce separately from the rice. Reheat in a pan or microwave before serving.
Is Buta Don the same as Gyudon?
Not quite! Gyudon is made with beef and often uses dashi in the sauce. Buta Don uses pork and a slightly richer, sweeter sauce.
Final Thoughts
Buta Don is one of those dishes that proves how satisfying simple food can be. With just a few ingredients and one pan, you get a warm, comforting meal that’s perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or a taste of Japan at home.
Whether you cook it traditionally on the stove or as a rice cooker variation, this Japanese pork bowl is bound to become a regular in your rotation.
Buta Don
Equipment
- 1 Rice cooker
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Japanese short-grain rice 2 rice cooker cups
- 1.25 cups water 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid (liquid including sauces)
- 1/2 lb thinly sliced pork
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp dashi powder
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups of Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well, then add it to your rice cooker pot
- Add in all liquids – soy sauce, mirin and water. It should fill up to the 2 line mark on the rice cooker for white rice. Ratio of rice to liquids (water and sauces) should be 1:1 ratio
- Add in dashi powder, sugar, grated ginger and mix it all into the rice
- Then add thinly sliced onions, pork, and sesame oil
- Place in rice cooker and cook on regular white rice setting (should be about 30-50min depending on rice cooker).
- Once rice is done, top with optional toppings such as green onion and red ginger
- Mix rice well and serve in a bowl
- Top it with other toppings to your liking such as togarashi, egg, more green onions, etc and enjoy!
