Sukiyaki Pizza Rice Bowl: Fusion Cuisine’s Next Level

When it comes to culinary innovation, I’m all in, especially when traditional dishes get a modern twist. So, when I got wind of Domino’s Japan shaking things up with their inventive Pizza Rice Bowls, I was intrigued. 

Imagine taking the classic foundation of a pizza but swapping out the crust for a warm bed of rice, a sprinkle of melty mozzarella cheese, and a variety of toppings, all baked to perfection. It’s a game-changer for sure.

Their latest creation, the Gyusukiyaki Pizza Rice Bowl, caught my attention. “Gyusukiyaki” might sound a bit repetitive, as ‘gyu’ already points to beef in Japanese. However, it aptly highlights the star of the dish: succulent beef strips. 

Coupled with negi, this dish is a nod to the beloved sukiyaki while infusing the essence of a pizza. 

   

They didn’t stop at the basics, though. Domino’s Japan opted to intensify the flavor with a blend of dual soy sauces and sugars that echo the sweet and savory profile of sukiyaki’s signature taste. 

Topping it off with an “egg yolk sauce”, it pays homage to the traditional way of enjoying sukiyaki, where the beef is dipped in egg before savoring.

But why stop at beef? Domino’s didn’t. They also introduced the Sumibiyaki Shio Buta Kalbi Pizza Rice Bowl. This dish boasts charcoal-grilled, salty pork short ribs, crisp green peppers, and bold garlic slices—a feast for those who appreciate a robust punch of flavor with their meal.

What about the price? The sukiyaki-inspired bowl comes in at 999 yen, and the kalbi version is slightly less at 899 yen. 

However, pair either with two sides in a My Domino set, and they’re both yours for 1,390 yen. 

Preparing a Sukiyaki Pizza Rice Bowl at Home

Can’t get enough of sukiyaki pizza rice bowls? Making one at home is simpler than you might think. Using thinly sliced beef, steamed rice, a mix of soy sauce, mirin, and sake, along with your favorite pizza toppings, you can recreate this fusion dish in your very own kitchen. Just layer the ingredients over the rice, and you’ve got a homemade twist on this innovative meal.

Steps	Description
1. Cook Rice	Begin by cooking your rice as you normally would.
2. Prepare Sukiyaki Beef	Sauté beef slices with sukiyaki ingredients like soy sauce, mirin, sake, and a hint of sugar until caramelized.
3. Assemble Toppings	Gather your pizza favorites—cheese, pepperoni, veggies—and ready them for layering.
4. Layer Your Bowl	Top the rice with your sukiyaki beef, followed by your chosen pizza toppings.
5. Melt & Serve	Briefly broil in the oven to melt the cheese and then serve hot.

Key Ingredients in This Fusion Dish

What makes a sukiyaki pizza rice bowl itself? The essentials include:

• Rice: A bowl of steaming, fluffy rice as the base.
• Beef: Thinly sliced sukiyaki beef sautéed in a savory-sweet sauce.
• Sauce: A blend of soy sauce, mirin, and sake that’s used to flavor the beef.
• Pizza Toppings: Cheese is a must, plus any other pizza toppings to taste.

Vegetarian Option for the Fusion Bowl

Absolutely, there’s a veggie-friendly version of the sukiyaki pizza bowl for plant-based diets. Swap out the beef for tofu or mushrooms, and use a combination of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar to create a similar flavor base. Then, pile on your favorite vegetarian pizza toppings.

Fusion of Sukiyaki and Pizza Flavors

Sukiyaki and pizza might sound like an odd couple, but in a rice bowl, they’re a perfect match. The beef’s savory sauce brings that umami-rich sukiyaki taste, while the melting cheese and chosen pizza additions give you the familiar comfort of pizza. Combined in one bowl, these flavors are a party for your palate.

Alternatives to This Eclectic Rice Bowl

If you’re on the hunt for variety, you might try:

• Gyudon: A simpler beef and rice bowl, sans the pizza aspect.
• Sukiyaki Don: Traditional sukiyaki flavors served straightforwardly over rice.
• Korean Bibimbap: Another mixed rice bowl with a variety of toppings and spicy gochujang sauce.

Availability of Sukiyaki Pizza Rice Bowls

This inventive dish can be elusive at restaurants, depending on where you’re located. In Japan, it’s more likely to find such fusion cuisine. However, with its growing popularity, adventurous eateries elsewhere might catch on. Otherwise, it remains a delicious DIY project for a comfy night in.