Tenshindon
(Tenshin-Don, Tenshinhan, Tenshin-Han, 天津飯, Tenshin Donburi, 天津丼, Crab Omelet on Rice)
Tenshindon is a simple Japanese dish which combines crab meat omelet and rice. It belongs to the broad category of donburi dishes, which includes many Japanese ingredients and meals that are served over rice. The central part of every tenshindon is the omelet which employs crab meat, the authentic Japanese negi onions, and (occasionally) mushrooms, peas, and sliced ginger.
The dish is assembled and usually served in a bowl, in which the rice is placed first, and the omelet is positioned on top. The final addition is a thick sauce that is generously poured over the dish. It is made with different combinations of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, oyster sauce, chicken broth, starch, and occasionally ketchup.
Depending on the location, the sauce can have a more sour, vinegary taste, preferred in the Kanto region, or the sweeter variety, typically found in the Kansai area. Read more
Even though this traditional Japanese specialty was named after the Chinese city of Tianjin, there is no similar and corresponding dish found in the Chinese gastronomy. It is believed that the name was given because the city was a major rice trade location, and the dish was primarily made with rice which originated from Tianjin.
Today it can be found in many Japanese restaurants, and is commonly prepared as a quick and nutritious homemade meal. It makes an excellent quick lunch, or a hearty and satisfying dinner.
