Gyudon in Japanese literally means a bowl of beef. The beef dish is made with onions, dashi fish stock, soy sauce and mirin. The dish is usually served with shirataki noodles and poured over a raw egg. Gyudon in Japan is eaten with miso soup, shichimi or pickled ginger.

The peak of the dish's popularity in the Land of the Cherry Blossom was at the beginning of the Taishō period. The low price of beef at the time contributed to the dish's success. The dish was sold, for example, at typical Japanese yatai food stalls - especially in Tokyo's Asakusa district. Today, gyudon can be eaten in both Japanese restaurantsas well as fast food bars that specialise in the dish. Some serve miso soup for an additional charge, but most establishments offer it in the price of the dish.