Personally I prefer Kanto-style Sukiyaki where the Warishita sauce is the base of operations and everything is cooked into it. I don’t like feeling like I don’t have enough sauce, and I want to dish the results on top of a bowl of rice. I enjoy the sweetness of the dish and how it flavors the rice. I enjoy the social aspect of cooking together; the preparation of the components and the novelty of doing it all at the table.

  1. Bring mirin, sake, soy sauce, dashi, and sugar to a simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and reserve.

  2. Arrange beef and tofu on separate platters (or dinner plates) cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Arrange mushrooms, onion, scallions, and bok choy on a serving platter and set aside.

  3. Rinse rice in a fine-mesh strainer until water runs clear. Place in a small pot and cover with 2 cups water, bring to a simmer then turn heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Steam until all the water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

  4. Set up butane burner or electric hot plate, and carefully ignite. Place a thick bottomed, low sided pan over burner and pour in sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer.

  5. Divide rice among 4 small bowls. Place platters of ingredients around burner and cook as you eat by transferring to simmering broth and cooking to the desired doneness. If desired, break egg into a separate bowl, beat, and use to dip steaming hot ingredients into.