Japanese Beef and Burdock Rice (My Mom’s Simple Recipe)

This is one of the recipes I grew up eating at home in Japan.

This is my favorite mum’s food “ofukuro-no-aji”.

My mom often made this simple beef and burdock rice, and it always reminds me of home. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that is surprisingly easy to make.

If you want to try authentic Japanese home cooking, this recipe is perfect for you.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Healthy and balanced
• Full of umami flavor
• Perfect for busy days

Ingredients

• Burdock root (gobo), thinly sliced
• Thinly sliced beef
• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sake
• Sugar
• Water
• Cooked rice
• Green onions

Instructions

1. Thinly slice the burdock root and soak it in water to remove bitterness.

2. Cut the sliced beef into about 3 pieces.

3. Heat sesame oil (or regular oil) and stir-fry the burdock first. This helps keep the beef tender.

4. Add the beef and cook together.

5. Add soy sauce (2), mirin (1), sake (1), water (1), and sugar (2).

6. Simmer until the liquid is almost gone.

7. Let it cool.

8. Mix with freshly cooked rice and top with green onions.

FAQ

Q. What is burdock?
A. Burdock is a root vegetable with a slightly earthy taste and crunchy texture.

Q. Can I skip sake?
A. Yes, you can replace it with a little water.

Q. Is there a substitute for mirin?
A. Yes! If you don’t have mirin, you can use:

• 1 tablespoon of water + 1 teaspoon of sugar
• or a small amount of honey

These options will give a similar sweetness to the dish.