*Kaisen-don* is a Japanese seafood rice bowl that’s easy to make at home

Kaisen-Don Recipe: How to Make a Japanese Seafood Bowl

*Kaisen-don* is a type of *[donburi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/donburi-rice-bowls-guide)*, or Japanese rice bowl. *Kaisen* means “seafood” in Japanese, and *don* is short for *donburi*. For Japanese restaurants that serve sashimi and *maki* (sushi rolls), *kaisen-don* is a great way to use up pieces of seafood like *negitoro*, the corners of tuna that cannot be sliced into perfect sashimi rectangles. For home cooks, it's a great way to enjoy seafood without having to master perfect *nigiri* or [hand rolls](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide).

*Kaisen-don* looks similar to [*chirashi*](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chirashi-sushi-recipe) bowls or "scattered sushi." Both dishes feature bowls of rice topped with raw fish and are often served at sushi restaurants. The difference between *kaisen-don* and *chirashi* is what's underneath the fish: *kaisen-don* is served with plain white rice, while *chirashi* is made with [sushi rice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-sushi-rice-perfect-sushi-rice-recipe), which is seasoned with vinegar, salt, and sugar.

This seafood and rice dish can include various toppings. In Japan, *kaisen-don* can feature different types of seafood, or just one, such as *tekka-don* (tuna *donburi*). Some favorite additions to *kaisen-don* include:

1. __Fish__: Popular fish selections for *kaisen-don* are *ikura* (salmon roe), *maguro* (bluefin tuna), *shiro maguro* (albacore tuna), *toro* (fatty tuna), and *hamachi* (yellowtail).
2. __Shellfish__: Shellfish such as *uni* (sea urchin), *ebi* (shrimp), *hotate* (sea scallop) and *kani surimi* (imitation crab meat) are common additions to *kaisen-don*. 
3. __Egg__: [*Tamagoyaki*](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tamagoyaki-recipe) is a rolled omelette often included in *kaisen-don*.
4. __Vegetables__: *Kaiware*, or daikon radish sprouts, can add crunch to a bowl of *kaisen-don*. You can also top your rice bowl with [tempura](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-tempura-recipe) vegetables.

*Kaisen-don* is a Japanese seafood rice bowl that’s easy to make at home

Kaisen-don is a type of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/donburi-rice-bowls-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/donburi-rice-bowls-guide","linkCopy":"donburi","category":null}'>donburi</a>, or Japanese rice bowl. Kaisen means “seafood” in Japanese, and don is short for donburi. For Japanese restaurants that serve sashimi and maki (sushi rolls), kaisen-don is a great way to use up pieces of seafood like negitoro, the corners of tuna that cannot be sliced into perfect sashimi rectangles. For home cooks, it&#39;s a great way to enjoy seafood without having to master perfect nigiri or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/hand-roll-sushi-guide","linkCopy":"hand rolls","category":null}'>hand rolls</a>.

What Is Kaisen-Don?

Kaisen-don looks similar to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chirashi-sushi-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chirashi-sushi-recipe","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003echirashi\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>chirashi</a> bowls or &quot;scattered sushi.&quot; Both dishes feature bowls of rice topped with raw fish and are often served at sushi restaurants. The difference between kaisen-don and chirashi is what&#39;s underneath the fish: kaisen-don is served with plain white rice, while chirashi is made with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-sushi-rice-perfect-sushi-rice-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-sushi-rice-perfect-sushi-rice-recipe","linkCopy":"sushi rice","category":null}'>sushi rice</a>, which is seasoned with vinegar, salt, and sugar.

Kaisen-Don vs. Chirashi: What’s the Difference?

This seafood and rice dish can include various toppings. In Japan, kaisen-don can feature different types of seafood, or just one, such as tekka-don (tuna donburi). Some favorite additions to kaisen-don include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Fish: Popular fish selections for kaisen-don are ikura (salmon roe), maguro (bluefin tuna), shiro maguro (albacore tuna), toro (fatty tuna), and hamachi (yellowtail). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Shellfish: Shellfish such as uni (sea urchin), ebi (shrimp), hotate (sea scallop) and kani surimi (imitation crab meat) are common additions to kaisen-don. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Egg: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tamagoyaki-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tamagoyaki-recipe","linkCopy":"\u003cem class=\"mc-text--italic\"\u003eTamagoyaki\u003c/em\u003e","category":null}'>Tamagoyaki</a> is a rolled omelette often included in kaisen-don. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Vegetables: Kaiware, or daikon radish sprouts, can add crunch to a bowl of kaisen-don. You can also top your rice bowl with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-tempura-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-tempura-recipe","linkCopy":"tempura","category":null}'>tempura</a> vegetables. </li></ol>

4 Popular Kaisen-Don Toppings

Simple Kaisen-don Recipe

Kaisen-don is a Japanese seafood rice bowl that’s easy to make at home