Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting bowl of thinly sliced pork simmered with sweet onions and scallions over steamed rice, capturing the essence of Japanese home cooking. This japanese-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, thinly sliced medium onion, sliced scallions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add 1 thinly sliced medium onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced pork shoulder to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pork is no longer pink.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 2 tbsp sake, and 1 tbsp sugar, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork and onions.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and gently fold in 3 sliced scallions.
  5. Step 5: Divide 4 cups steamed white rice evenly among four bowls, then top each with the pork mixture and extra scallions if desired. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Japanese Butadon Pork Rice Bowl with Scallions and Onions?

Japanese bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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