This pork- and egg-topped bowl of rice is a classic Japanese comfort food.


Katsudon Recipe: How to Make Japanese Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl

*Katsudon* is a Japanese dish consisting of [*tonkatsu*](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-tonkatsu) (deep fried pork cutlet) and [dashi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained)-steamed egg over rice. In Japan, this dish is typically made in an *oyakodon* pan, a single-serving pan that is similar in size to a *donburi* (rice bowl), but you can also make it in a frying pan. 
The word *katsudon* is a portmanteau of *tonkatsu* (pork cutlet) and *donburi* (rice bowl). Since *katsu* also means “to win,” *katsudon* is traditionally eaten before important exams. There are multiple theories as to the dish’s origins, but most of the stories trace back to the early twentieth century in the area surrounding Waseda University in Tokyo, deepening *katsudon’s* connection to higher learning.

This pork- and egg-topped bowl of rice is a classic Japanese comfort food.


Katsudon is a Japanese dish consisting of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-tonkatsu' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-tonkatsu","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003etonkatsu\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>tonkatsu</a> (deep fried pork cutlet) and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained","linkCopy":"dashi","category":null}'>dashi</a>-steamed egg over rice. In Japan, this dish is typically made in an oyakodon pan, a single-serving pan that is similar in size to a donburi (rice bowl), but you can also make it in a frying pan.

What Is Katsudon?

The word katsudon is a portmanteau of tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and donburi (rice bowl). Since katsu also means “to win,” katsudon is traditionally eaten before important exams. There are multiple theories as to the dish’s origins, but most of the stories trace back to the early twentieth century in the area surrounding Waseda University in Tokyo, deepening katsudon’s connection to higher learning.

A Brief History of Katsudon

Classic Japanese Katsudon Recipe

This pork- and egg-topped bowl of rice is a classic Japanese comfort food.