Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Easy Japanese Steak Bowls. Homemade stir-fried steak tossed in a sweet, sticky Japanese barbecue sauce. The potatoes roast in the oven with a drizzle of honey, and the broccoli gets added to the same pan toward the end so everything cooks together. It all comes together quickly from start to finish, making it perfect for any night of the week.
There’s nothing I love more than when my brothers send me dinner ideas. Brendan is especially good at this. He’s always texting me suggestions, usually things I’ve already made a dozen times. And when he recently told me to stuff dates with peanut butter and dip them in chocolate like it was some brand-new discovery… I had to gently remind him that we’ve been doing that for years. Love him, but still.
But this time? He sent me an actual gem.
These Japanese sweet potato steak bowls are completely his idea, and they’ve quickly become one of my favorite easy dinners. He told me I had to find the same Japanese barbecue sauce they use (thankfully, Whole Foods came through), toss the steak in it, and sear it in a hot skillet. Meanwhile, roast up some Japanese sweet potatoes, make a big pot of rice, and slice up an avocado.
Simple. Cozy. So good.
Of course, I had to add my own twist — a little roasted broccoli on the same pan and a creamy drizzle on top, because every good bowl needs a sauce. The result is sweet, sticky, savory, and totally crave-worthy. It comes together fast, feels better than takeout, and honestly tastes better too.
This is Brendan’s favorite dinner for a reason. And now, it’s definitely one of mine as well.
Here’s how to make these steak bowls
Ingredients
- flank steak
- black pepper
- Japanese barbecue sauce
- cornstarch or flour
- garlic powder
- butter, ghee, or oil
- Japanese sweet potatoes or sweet potatoes
- broccoli florets
- garlic
For Serving
- avocado, sesame seeds, and green onions
- jasmine rice
The Creamy Sauce
- Japanese barbecue sauce
- mayo or yogurt
- chili flakes
The Tools You Need
For this recipe, you’ll need a skillet, I like cast iron. You’ll also need a sheet pan and a bowl to mix up the creamy sauce. I love how simple the recipe is. If you have cooked rice, you can use it too!
These are the steps
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating the oven to 425° F. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper right on a baking sheet. Make sure everything is spread out in an even layer so the potatoes actually roast and get those golden edges. Pop them into the oven for about 20 minutes, until tender and caramelized. This is when your kitchen starts smelling really good.
Step 2: Prep the Beef
While the potatoes are roasting, grab the beef. Season it with pepper, then toss it with 1/2 cup of the Japanese barbecue sauce. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so it can soak up all that flavor. Sprinkle with the cornstarch and garlic powder, then toss again. This is what gives you that glossy, sticky, takeout-style finish.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat the butter or ghee in a large skillet over high heat. Once it’s hot, add the beef in an even layer and let it cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes. You want those crispy edges. Toss the beef, then pour in the remaining sauce and let it bubble for 2–3 minutes, until thick, shiny, and perfectly coated. Remove from the heat. Add extra sauce if you’re like me and love it extra saucy.
Step 4: Roast the Broccoli
Toss the broccoli with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Add it right onto the pan with the sweet potatoes. Drizzle the potatoes with honey (so good), then slide everything back into the oven for about 10 more minutes. The broccoli gets tender with a little char, and the potatoes turn perfectly golden.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce
Stir together all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and adjust as needed — more heat, more sweetness, whatever you’re feeling. Every good bowl needs a drizzle moment, and this is it.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Spoon the rice into bowls, then layer on the beef, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. Top with avocado, lots of sesame seeds (the more, the better), green onions, and a generous drizzle of the creamy sauce. Serve warm. It’s cozy, colorful, and honestly better than takeout.
Looking for other Korean-inspired recipes? Here are some of my favorites:
Oven Fried Korean Popcorn Chicken
Instant Pot Sticky Korean Chicken
Instant Pot Korean Bulgogi BBQ Tacos
If you make my Easy Japanese Steak Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Japanese Steak Bowls
Servings: 6 bowls
Calories Per Serving: 562 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced
- black pepper
- 1 cup Japanese barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter, ghee, or oil
- 3-4 Japanese sweet potatoes/sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- avocado, sesame seeds and green onions, for serving
- jasmine rice, for serving
Creamy Sauce
- 1/4 cup Japanese barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup mayo, or yogurt
- chili flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Toss sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes.2. Season the beef with pepper. Toss with 1/2 cup sauce; let sit 10 minutes. Add cornstarch and garlic powder; toss to coat.3. Heat butter or ghee in a large skillet over high. Add beef in an even layer; sear undisturbed 2 minutes. Toss the beef, add the remaining 1/4 cup sauce, and cook for 2–3 minutes, until thick and glossy. Remove from heat. Add more sauce, if desired.4. Toss broccoli with 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Drizzle the potatoes with honey, and roast 10 minutes.5. Stir together all ingredients. 6. Serve beef, potatoes, and broccoli over rice. Top with avocado, sesame seeds, green onions, and the creamy sauce.
This post was originally published on February 19, 2026
Do you perl the potatoes
Hi Brandi,
I did not peel my potatoes, but it’s totally up to you:) I hope you love this dish!
Sunday night family dinner with all my adult children who are all foodies……Really good. Was unable to find Japanese sweet potato though so used regular one, may search a little harder for that next time I make it (I had no idea there was such a thing) A total do again!!! Thanks!!!!!
Thanks so much, Ann! I appreciate you making this dish and your feedback, so glad to hear it was a hit!
Is the Japanese BBQ sauce the same as Hoisen sauce?
Hi Lori,
It is not:) Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Do the calories include jasmine rice and if so how much?
Hey Rachel,
The calories do not include the rice. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
This recipe was fantastic!! I purchased Korean bbq sauce by mistake so added some additional soy sauce to it. It was so delicious. I assume it would be different (maybe even better?) with Japanese bbq sauce but I will absolutely make this again. And I am not a huge steak eater but the flavours were so nice together.
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 xT
AMAZING! Flavor explosion! So delicious, the entire family loved it. Thanks for helping me with dinner tonight!!
Hey Jean,
Happy Friday! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it!
What brand of bbq sauce do you use?
Hey Kristal,
I love Bachan Japanese BBQ sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Can you add a link to the bbq sauce you used?
Hey Kali,
I like to use the Bachan brand, it’s pretty yummy! Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I’m confused by step5.
Hi Allison,
My apologies, you will want to stir together all of the ingredients for the creamy sauce. I hope you love this recipe!
What Japanese BBQ sauce?
Hi Tina,
I like the Bachan brand of Japanese BBQ sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish!
Instruction number four – is that a typo when it says to do the broccoli and then add the potatoes with a drizzle of honey? You mean to toss the broccoli with oil and then add it to the potatoes? I think most people will figure it out, but really new cooks might get confused.
Hi Colleen,
So sorry for any confusion, there is no typo, you will toss the broccoli with oil, garlic and salt. Add it to the same pan as the potatoes and then drizzle the potatoes with honey. I hope this helps!
Just as FYI- there is no honey listed in the ingredient list
I thought that too! I think she means add the broccoli TO the potatoes, so just the “to” is missing.
Can you tell us more about Japanese BBQ sauce? Brands? I don’t have a Whole Foods nearby.
Hey Mary,
Yes! I love the Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce brand. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Do we cook the broccoli in the pan or in the oven? It’s not clear above.
Hi Dee,
I roast the broccoli in the oven with the sweet potatoes.
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Friday!
Can we grill the steak
Hey Kristen,
Sure, that would be yummy as well! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
Are you allowed to say what the Japanese bbq sauce is??
Hi Lisa,
Yes, it’s Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce. It’s super yummy! Please let me know if you have any other questions!