Compare four chain restaurants' beef bowls!
Do you have a favorite beef bowl chain? Many people go to a restaurant because it is close to their home or office, but not many people have decided which one they like best after comparing the food at each company.
To find out, our editorial department compared beef bowls from Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Nakau, and Sukiya! As a result, there were surprising differences in seasoning and meat volume...
Gyudon comparison between Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Nakau, and Sukiya
This time, we compared four similarly priced items, all of which were purchased in Tokyo. All were purchased in Tokyo. Prices include tax at the time of consumption.
Yoshinoya "Gyu-don" (beef bowl): 380 yen for a bowl of rice
Matsuya "Premium Gyumeshi" (beef rice): 380 yen for a bowl of rice
Nakau "Japanese-style beef bowl": 380 yen for a bowl of rice
Sukiya "Gyu-don" (beef bowl): 350 yen for a bowl of rice
Back left: Yoshinoya, Back right: Matsuya Left front: Nakau, Right front: Sukiya
Sukiya is a little bit cheaper.
Let's take a look at the taste of each.
Yoshinoya: The standard taste of a beef bowl
Yoshinoya's beef bowl has tender meat and onions, and the sweet sauce is well seasoned. It goes well with soft and fluffy rice.
The meat is a little smaller, frame by frame, and a little more plump and fatty.
Matsuya: Delicate beef bowl
Next, Matsuya's beef rice. Each piece of meat is huge! The meat is thinly sliced and fluffy and soft to the touch, yet the meat is chewy and firm.
Matsuya's premium beef rice
The seasoning is light. The flavor of the meat itself and the sweetness of the fat are brought out in this dish.
The meat is voluptuous and delightful.
Matsuya's beef rice comes with "black sesame roasted seven spices," which other companies do not have. It was spicy and aromatic, and elevated the flavor of the meat to an even higher level.
Nakau: Edokko Gyudon
Next is Nakau's beef bowl. The moderately chewy rice is combined with meat, green onions instead of onions, and thread konnyaku.
Nakau's Japanese-style beef bowl
The seasoning is very salty and spicy! It tastes like Kanto style sukiyaki. It is absolutely delicious topped with a raw egg.
Rich in flavor and mouthwatering.
The meat is cooked well and is soft and fluffy, and is easy to eat. The combination of green onions and konnyaku (konnyaku with threads) gives the dish a multilayered texture that is not found in the beef bowls of other companies.
Sukiya: Rugged Gyudon
Last but not least is Sukiya's beef bowl. Both the meat and onions are large and thick, giving the impression of a firm "squish, squish" texture. The meat is not too fatty, and the sweet and spicy sauce is well seasoned.
The rice is more firm and core-crunchy than other companies, perfect for those seeking a hearty meal. It is like an honest and rugged beef bowl.
The meat had the most texture and thickness.
My favorite was...
After comparing the two, my personal favorite was by far Matsuya's beef rice. You can simply taste the deliciousness of the meat, and the balance of the flavor of the sauce that complements it is perfect. And the fact that each piece of meat is big and hearty!
However, this is just my personal opinion, and I am sure your tastes will differ depending on who you eat it with and the timing of the meal. We hope you find your favorite gyudon by referring to this article!