Sukiya 101: Japan’s No.1 Gyudon Chain & The King of Toppings 🐮👑

2026年2月20日

Alongside Yoshinoya and Matsuya, Sukiya is one of the “Big 3” Gyudon (Beef Bowl) chains in Japan. In fact, it holds the title for the highest number of locations in the country.

Known for being “Fast, Tasty, and Cheap,” Sukiya is a must-visit for tourists looking for a reliable, budget-friendly meal.

[Insert Image: Sukiya Exterior Photo] (Caption: Look for the red bowl logo! Sukiya is open 24/7 in most locations.)

🎨 What Makes Sukiya Special?

Sukiya distinguishes itself from its rivals in three major ways:

Massive Variety of Toppings: While a standard beef bowl is great, Sukiya is famous for its creative toppings. They popularized the “High-Calorie but Delicious” style, such as the Three-Cheese Gyudon or Mustard Leaf & Cod Roe Mayo Gyudon.
More Than Just Beef: Thanks to its parent company, Zensho (which also runs “Hama Sushi” and family restaurants like “Coco’s”), Sukiya offers an impressive range of seafood bowls (Maguro/Tuna, Salmon) and other dishes like Curry and Chicken Soboro bowls.
Desserts & Drinks: Unlike the old-school “eat and leave” beef bowl joints, Sukiya offers Earl Grey tea, coffee, puddings, and milkshakes.

[Insert AI Image: “Topping King” 1-panel illustration]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who is Sukiya For?

Family Friendly: While Yoshinoya and Matsuya historically targeted salarymen near train stations, Sukiya focused on suburban areas and families. You will find more table seating here compared to the counter-heavy layout of its rivals.
The Numbers: As of 2025, Sukiya operates about 2,000 stores, surpassing Yoshinoya’s ~1,230.

🆚 Pros & Cons

✅ The Good:

Menu Variety: You never get bored with the endless combinations.
Price: It is currently the cheapest of the Big 3. (Regular Beef Bowl: Sukiya 450 JPY vs. Matsuya 460 JPY vs. Yoshinoya 498 JPY). Note: Sukiya actually lowered their price by 30 yen in Dec 2025!
Relaxed Vibe: Good for groups or families thanks to table seats.

🔻 The Bad:

Less “Handmade” Feel: Compared to the others, it feels very systematic.
Rice Refills: Unlike Matsuya or Yoshinoya set meals, Sukiya does not offer free rice refills (though their rice quality is often rated the highest of the three).

💰 Budget & Hours

Budget: 450 JPY – 1,400 JPY
Hours: Open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night).

🖥️ How to Order (Super Easy!)

No Japanese? No problem.

Sit Down: Find an empty seat (counter or table).
Tablet Ordering: Every seat has a tablet. Switch the language to English.

Order: Browse the pictures and tap what you want.
Eat: The staff will bring the food (and usually cold tea) to you.
Pay: Take the bill (receipt) to the “Cashier” near the exit to pay.

Step-by-Step Video Guide: Entry to Exit

🤣 Sukiya Manga: The Sukiya Experience

👅 Taste Comparison: The Big 3

How does the flavor compare?

Yoshinoya: Light flavor, tender meat, juicy.
Matsuya: Punchy soy sauce flavor, slightly sweet. For those who want a strong kick.
Sukiya: Ginger-forward and balanced. The meat is thinly sliced and blends perfectly with the rice.

🏆 Top 10 Most Popular Menu Items

Based on over 4,000 votes from Japanese fans, here is what you should order. Notice that 80% of the top 10 are unique varieties, not just plain beef bowls!

(Source: Minna no Ranking)

1. Green Onion & Raw Egg Gyudon (Negi-Tama) A mountain of spicy green onions and a raw egg. The texture is amazing. (Calories: Regular 843kcal) [ネギ玉牛丼]

2. Gyudon (Standard Beef Bowl) The classic. Simple and delicious. (Calories: Regular 733kcal) [牛丼]

3. Grated Radish & Ponzu Gyudon (Oroshi Ponzu) Refreshing and light. Perfect for summer or when you want something less heavy. (Calories: Regular 754kcal) [鬼おろしポン酢牛丼]

4. 3-Cheese Gyudon The legendary calorie bomb. The melted cheese mixes with the beef sauce for a rich, Western-style taste. (Calories: Regular 911kcal) [とろーり三種のチーズ牛丼]

5. Minced Tuna Bowl (Maguro Tataki) Not in the mood for beef? This fresh seafood bowl is surprisingly good. (Calories: Regular 609kcal) [まぐろたたき丼]

6. Mustard Leaf, Cod Roe & Mayo Gyudon (Takana Mentai Mayo) Spicy, creamy, and crunchy. A flavor explosion. (Calories: Regular 836kcal) [[高菜明太マヨ牛丼]]

7. Tuna Yukhoe Bowl Minced tuna with a spicy Korean-style sauce and raw egg. (Calories: Regular 715kcal) [Insert Photo: Tuna Yukhoe]

8. Tonjiru (Pork Miso Soup) A hearty soup with pork and root vegetables. Much better than standard miso soup. (Calories: 157kcal) [豚汁]

9. Wasabi & Yam Gyudon (Wasabi Yamakake) Sticky grated yam and wasabi. A very traditional Japanese texture (slimy but healthy!). (Calories: Regular 780kcal) [わさび山かけ牛丼gular 974kcal) [Insert Photo: Gyudon Set]