A hot pot of thinly sliced beef simmered tableside in sweet soy warishita, dipped in raw egg before eating.
What it is
Sukiyaki is a *hot pot of thinly sliced beef and vegetables simmered tableside in warishita — a sweet-savory blend of soy sauce, sugar, mirin and dashi — then dipped in beaten raw egg* before eating. Tofu, leek, mushrooms and shirataki round out the pot.
What makes it special
There are two schools. Kanto style (Tokyo) simmers everything in the pre-mixed warishita from the start; Kansai style (Osaka/Kyoto) first sears the beef with sugar, adding soy sauce and the rest afterwards. Both finish each bite the same way — through the silky raw egg. Sukiyaki rose with Japan's embrace of beef in the Meiji era and remains the classic celebration pot everyone gathers around.
How to eat it (and the manners)
At specialist restaurants, staff usually cook the first round for you at the table — watch, then follow their lead. The paper-thin beef needs only seconds in the pot (it toughens fast), so lift it out while it's still tender, dip it in the egg, and alternate with vegetables so the pot stays balanced. Finish (shime) by cooking udon or rice in the rich leftover broth.
Where to eat it
Tokyo's Ningyocho district keeps two famous sukiyaki houses within a short walk of each other: Ningyocho Imahan Honten, where kuroge wagyu is simmered tableside, and the wagyu sukiyaki specialist Hiyama.
What to order
- Kuroge wagyu course
- Dip in raw egg
- Kanto vs. Kansai style
- Finish with udon or rice in the broth
FAQ
- What is Sukiyaki?
- A hot pot of thinly sliced beef simmered tableside in sweet soy warishita, dipped in raw egg before eating.
- Is Sukiyaki vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free?
- Beef-based with raw egg and soy (wheat). Halal sukiyaki is rare — ask ahead.
- What is the difference between Kanto and Kansai sukiyaki?
- Kanto style simmers beef and vegetables in pre-mixed warishita sauce from the start; Kansai style sears the beef with sugar first, then seasons with soy sauce. Both dip each bite in raw egg.
Recipes and preparation vary by restaurant, so this is a general guide. If you're ever unsure, please confirm directly with the venue before you order — they'll appreciate the heads-up.
