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Meat, East Asian

Wafu onion steak with rice

Wafu onion steak with rice is a Japanese style dish for 4 people, ready in 25 minutes, very easy, at €4.00 per person. The key is grating the onion and radish at the last minute so the soy dressing stays bright and fresh over the seared, butter finished steak.

Tonight, a Japanese style steak, wafu, pan seared and topped with a fresh soy sauce dressing with grated onion and radish, plus a bowl of rice.

Wafu onion steak with rice
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€4.00
Calories per person
450 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall

Wafu is the Japanese way of dressing a Western style steak with something fresh and bright instead of a heavy, long cooked sauce. Grated onion brings a mild bite, white radish adds light freshness, and rice vinegar sharpens it all without hiding the beef. The pan work stays simple, and a knob of butter at the end gives the steak a restaurant like richness.

This is a weeknight dinner that breaks away from plain steak and fries without asking for more time or skill. It appeals to adults who like bright, slightly sharp flavors, but stays mild enough not to catch anyone off guard. Mon Chou suggests it for evenings when you want a change of pace without a long prep session.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef steaks (rump or ribeye) 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • White radish (daikon) or black radish 150 g

Pantry

  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Rice vinegar 2 tbsp
  • Mirin or a little honey 2 tbsp
  • Vegetable oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 20 g

Allergens Soy, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Take the steaks out of the fridge twenty minutes before cooking, season with pepper. 20 min

    Meat at room temperature cooks more evenly.

  2. Grate the onion and radish, lightly squeeze out the radish and mix with the soy sauce, vinegar, and mirin.

    No mirin, a little honey plus a splash of white wine will give you that same sweetness.

  3. Cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 11 min

    Let it sit covered off the heat to finish steaming.

  4. Heat the oil in a hot skillet and sear the steaks on both sides, then add the butter. 6 min

    Spoon the melted butter over the steaks at the end of cooking, it gives them a restaurant like richness.

  5. Let the meat rest a few minutes, slice it, spoon over the dressing, and serve with the rice. 5 min

    Resting lets the juices settle back in, keeping the meat pink inside.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick steaks that aren't too thick, they cook faster and soak up the dressing better once sliced.
  • Pat the steaks dry before searing, moisture on the surface stops a good brown crust from forming.
  • Mix the dressing in a separate bowl and spoon it over the meat only right before serving, so it doesn't get watered down by the pan juices.

The variations

  • Swap the beef for quickly seared salmon or tuna steaks, the wafu dressing works just as well with fish.
  • For a vegetarian version, use thick slices of firm tofu pan fried in place of the meat.
  • For kids, serve the dressing on the side and go lighter on the raw onion, its bite can be a lot for younger palates.

What to serve it with

  • A vinegared cucumber salad
  • Quickly sautéed greens
  • A hot green tea

Storage

The cooked steak keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, though it loses some of its richness as it cools. Keep the onion dressing separate and use it within 1 day, after that the radish releases water and thins it out. Reheat the meat gently in a pan over low heat so it doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the onion dressing ahead of time?

It's best made right before serving. Grated onion and radish lose their sharp freshness within a few hours, and the radish releases water that waters down the dressing.

Which cut of beef works best for this wafu steak?

Rump steak and ribeye both work well, they're tender cuts that sear quickly in a hot pan. Skip braising cuts, they're too tough for such a short cook time.

Can you substitute the white radish (daikon)?

Black radish works just as well, as noted in the recipe. If you have neither, grated red radishes give a similar result, just a bit more colorful.

Is this dish kid friendly?

The sharpness of raw onion can surprise younger eaters. Serve the dressing on the side so everyone can add as much as they like, and go a bit lighter on the onion for their portion.

How long does it take to make a wafu onion steak with rice?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a wafu onion steak with rice?

About 450 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a wafu onion steak with rice cost?

About €4.00 per serving, or €16.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains soy, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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