Ingredients

Ankake Sauce

   
500ml dashi
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sake
1½ tsp potato starch, mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Toppings

   
150g protein (chicken thigh, shrimp, or thinly sliced pork)
100g vegetables (any mix: shiitake, cabbage, snap peas, carrot, corn, bok choy)
1 tbsp neutral oil
  salt and pepper
2 bowls steamed white rice
  sliced green onion, for garnish

Steps

  1. Cut protein into bite-size pieces. Slice vegetables into thin strips or small pieces so they cook quickly.

  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high. Cook protein until just done. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and set aside.

  3. In the same pan, stir-fry vegetables 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside with protein.

  4. In a saucepan, bring dashi to a gentle simmer. Add soy sauce, mirin, and sake. Taste and adjust.

  5. Stir the potato starch slurry to recombine, then pour into the simmering dashi while stirring. Cook until the sauce thickens and turns glossy, about 30 seconds.

  6. Turn off heat. Pour beaten eggs in a thin stream while stirring gently — let them form soft ribbons in the residual heat.

  7. Return protein and vegetables to the sauce. Stir gently to combine.

  8. Serve over bowls of steamed rice. Garnish with green onion.

Notes

  • Ankake (あんかけ) means “covered in thick sauce.” The starch-thickened dashi is the whole point — it should be glossy and coat the rice.
  • Potato starch (katakuriko) gives a clearer, silkier sauce than cornstarch. Cornstarch works in a pinch but the texture is slightly different.
  • Always mix the starch slurry right before adding — it settles fast.
  • Turn off heat before adding eggs. The residual heat cooks them into soft ribbons without overcooking.
  • This is a fridge-cleaner. Use whatever protein and vegetables you have. Mushrooms, cabbage, and snap peas are a classic combo.
  • For a richer sauce, add a few drops of sesame oil at the end.
  • Ginger is a common addition — grate a thumb’s worth into the dashi for a warming version.