Updated:
November 13, 2019
0
Bookmark
What is 'Kaisen Don?' (+ How is it Different from 'Chirashi Sushi?')
Have you heard of kaisen don? It's a popular Japanese dish that is basically a bowl of sashimi on top of a bed of rice. If you like sushi, you'll love kaisen don! Make sure you try it while in Japan.
Feel free to follow favy!
What is Kaisen Don?

'Kaisen don' in Japanese is a combination of the words 'seafood' (kaisen 海鮮)and 'rice bowl' (donburi 丼). Thus, 'kaisen don' is a seafood rice bowl. To be more specific, kaisen don usually consists of pieces of a variety of fresh (raw) seafood over a bed of unseasoned white rice. It's basically a bowl of sashimi on rice.
How Do You Eat Kaisen Don?

There is a lot of variety when it comes to kaisen don, but most kaisen don will be served with soy sauce and wasabi. Some people like to pour the soy sauce over the entire bowl before eating, while others prefer to dip each piece of sashimi into the soy sauce as they eat. There are no rules, so do whatever you please!
What is the Difference Between Sashimi and Chirashi?

Sashimi
There's another kind of seafood bowl you might have heard of called 'chirashi sushi.' Chirashi sushi is quite similar to kaisen don, except that the rice in chirashi sushi is vinegared, just like sushi rice. Chirashi sushi, then, could be described as a kind of deconstructed sushi.
Sashimi, on the other hand, is simply slices of raw fish and other seafood, served by itself.
Sashimi, on the other hand, is simply slices of raw fish and other seafood, served by itself.
Sashimi Don, Chirashi Sushi, Bara Sushi

Chirashi sushi
Chirashi don, sashimi don, bara chirashi, kaisendon... There are a lot of seemingly similar dishes out there. So what's the difference? Here's a quick breakdown:
-Kaisen don: a bowl of seafood over plain rice
-Chirashi sushi / chirashi don: a bowl or lacquerware box of seafood over shari (vinegared sushi rice)
-Bara sushi / bara chirashi: The same thing as chirashi sushi, except that the seafood is chopped into smaller pieces that are mixed into the rice before eating.
-Kaisen don: a bowl of seafood over plain rice
-Chirashi sushi / chirashi don: a bowl or lacquerware box of seafood over shari (vinegared sushi rice)
-Bara sushi / bara chirashi: The same thing as chirashi sushi, except that the seafood is chopped into smaller pieces that are mixed into the rice before eating.

Bara sushi
Best Places to Get Kaisen Don in Japan
If you're looking for some of the best places in Japan to get awesome kaisen don, check out this article of restaurants serving "overflowing" kaisen don!
- DeLong
- I live in west Tokyo and spend most of my time thinking about food or going bouldering.
Trending Posts
1
What is Narutomaki? (The White and Pink Thing on Ramen)
2
Ramen Types Explained & Take away(Shio, Tonkotsu, Shoyu, Tsukemen and More!)
3
7 Things You Need To Know About Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)
4
All About Japanese Kani! How It's Used In Japan
5
Japanese Ingredient Guide: Gobo (Burdock Root)
Recommended For You!
1
※※CLOSED※※[Akihabara] Wagyu Beef Prime Rib at this Price? | PRIME RIB ZEN
favy
2
※※CLOSED※※Prime Rib Zen: Affordable Wagyu and Japanese Craft Beer in Akihabara!
favy
3
Ninja Castle: Awesome Ninja-Themed Restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo
favy
4
Coconut Glen's Coconut Ice Cream is a Must-Try in Omotesando!
favy
5
[Tokyo] Fresh Japanese Fish Served 'Californian Poke' Style!
favy
Featured Posts
Michelin Star Restaurants In Tokyo & All Of Japan | Guide | Reservation
Halal Restaurants In Japan!
Things to do in Japan in all regions!
Events
Vintage Sake Renaissance 2019
Apr 21, Sun
~