Katsudon facts for kids
Katsudon (Japanese: カツ丼) is a super popular Japanese meal! It's a yummy bowl of rice topped with a crispy, deep-fried pork cutlet. It also has egg, some vegetables, and tasty sauces.
The name "Katsudon" comes from two Japanese words. "Katsu" comes from "tonkatsu", which means pork cutlet. And "don" comes from "donburi", which means a rice bowl dish. So, it's a "pork cutlet rice bowl"!
There's a cool tradition in Japan about Katsudon. Students often eat it the night before a big test or an important school exam. This is because "katsu" sounds like the Japanese word "katsu" (katsu (勝つ)), which means "to win" or "to be victorious". It's like wishing for good luck!
Katsudon also appears in Japanese police movies. In these films, suspects sometimes tell the truth after eating katsudon and being asked about their family. Even today, the idea of eating katsudon while police are questioning someone is a popular joke in Japanese movies. However, as of 2019, police don't actually feed suspects during questioning.
How Katsudon is Made
Making Katsudon starts with the tonkatsu. First, the pork cutlet is dipped in flour, then in egg, and then covered in panko breadcrumbs. After that, it's deep-fried until it's golden and crispy.
Next, a special broth is made. This broth usually has dashi (a Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, and onions. The sliced tonkatsu and a beaten egg are cooked in this boiling broth. Finally, this delicious mix is poured over a bowl of hot rice.
Different Kinds of Katsudon
While the classic Katsudon has egg and broth, there are many other tasty versions! These bowls also have a cutlet and rice, but they might not have eggs or the same kind of broth.
Here are some popular types:
- Sōsu Katsudon: This version uses tonkatsu sauce or Worcestershire sauce. You can find this style in places like Fukui, Kōfu, Gunma, Aizuwakamatsu, and Komagane.
- Demi Katsudon: This one comes with a rich demi-glace sauce and often has green peas. It's a special dish in Okayama.
- Shōyu-dare Katsudon: This style from Niigata uses a soy sauce-based tare sauce.
- Misokatsu-don: This is a misokatsu tonkatsu with a sauce made from hatchō miso. It's a favorite in Nagoya.
- Variants of katsudon
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If you use beef instead of pork, it's called gyū-katsu-don. There's also a version with chicken katsu and egg called oyako katsudon. This is different from oyakodon, where the chicken isn't fried.
See also
In Spanish: Katsudon para niños
