Tamago-Toji Spam Donburi (卵とじ スパム丼)

Unlike katsudon, this donburi does not have a place in Japanese culinary history, it's an original Miss Mochi creation.

This recipe came about when I happened to score a giant pack of low-sodium Spam from Costco and we only had one frozen pre-made tonkatsu left. Since Mr. Mochi is much more fond of pork chops than I am, I made him a katsudon while I decided what sort of rice bowl I should make. I decided to try a Spam and egg donburi, and it turned out so tasty I decided to share it with you.

A donburi is simply a plain rice bowl with toppings, designed as a complete meal. Here in Southern California, Flame Broiler is probably the most popular chain, as well as of course Yoshinoya, which is an amazingly old fast food chain, founded in 1899. Apparently these quick and tasty meals have stood the test of time, because here in 2014 I am obsessed.

I've made a Spam donburi before, and in that post I rambled a bit about all the variations that could be made. You can make a donburi topping out of anything, and I believe the possibilities are endless. I could probably do a Spam donburi month, and still have plenty of ideas at the end of it.

Hey, that is a pretty good idea! Maybe for May?

Until then, here's the latest iteration of Spam donburi.

Tamago-Toji Spam Donburi (卵とじ スパム丼)

4 slices of Spam, 1/4-1/2" thick
1 1/3 cup dashi
1/4 cup shoyu
2 tbs mirin
1 tbs sugar
2 eggs
1/2 white onion, cut lengthwise and then into 1/4" slices
2-4 cups of white rice (depending on your appetite)
garnish: dried chives and shichimi togarashi 

Cut the Spam slices into strips, and grill them over medium heat in a small saucepan about the diameter of your rice bowl until crispy on all sides (we will use the same saucepan to make the egg sauce). Remove the Spam from the saucepan and reserve.

For the rest of the recipe, I usually make one portion at a time, but you could use a larger saucepan or skillet and then just divide it up, but it makes it a little messier, and one bowl always ends up with much more broth. If you want to cook it all at once in large pan, don't divide the ingredients in half as instructed below, but cook as directed using all of it.

Combine the dashi, shoyu, mirin, and sugar then pour roughly half of the broth in a small saucepan. Place half the onion slices in the broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the onions are to your liking (I like them on the softer side, about 2 minutes). Meanwhile, lightly beat one egg, do not completely mix. Place half the reserved Spam strips on top of the onions and broth, then drizzle one egg around/over the Spam. Do not stir, cook covered for 30 seconds then turn off the heat, wait for 30 seconds more, then transfer the egg and Spam mixture over the hot rice. Repeat with the second portion. Garnish with dried chives and shichimi togarashi.


See Also:
Chikuwa Teriyaki Donburi
Gyudon
Tonkatsu Kare Donburi