May 6
2011

Avocado Mango Donburi (Japanese Rice Bowl), aka Avo-don

in Breakfast, Fruits & Vegetables, Honey, Japanese, Main Course, Rice & Noodles

Avocado Mango Donburi

One of my favorite breakfast treats (or any time of the day to be truthful) is maguro-don, or tuna rice bowl.  A simple bowl of steaming rice topped with chunks of raw tuna and sliced scallions.  Sometimes there might be some toasted sesame seeds or shredded seaweed on top.  Other times the tuna might be seared briefly or marinated in a vinegar and mirin mixture.  No matter the style, I’ve always found maguro-don to be total comfort food.  The California Avocado Commission was one of the sponsors present at Camp Blogaway.

Fuji Mama and Hass Avocados = California Natives

As they were talking to us about the process of growing and harvesting avocados in California, I got to thinking about how the California roll was born.  Various sources credit a chef living in Los Angeles, named Ichiro Mashita, for the invention sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s.  It came about when he tried substituting avocado for toro (fatty tuna) in sushi because he realized its creamy fatty texture and taste was very similar to that of toro.  I then started thinking about tuna, which I love, which then made me think of maguro-don, one of my favorite Japanese dishes that uses tuna.  Then a thought occurred to me—what if I applied the same concept that Chef Mashita used for coming up with the California roll, to maguro-don?  Okay yes, not totally original I’m sure, but I was dying to get home and try it!  Luckily the California Avocado Commission had put bowls full of ripe California avocados on our tables the last day of camp and told us to help ourselves.  Don’t mind if I do, thank you very much!

Fresh Ripe Creamy California Avocado

Monday morning I pulled out one of those ripe avocados and decided to pair it with a ripe mango that happened to be beckoning me from the kitchen counter and made myself a bowl of comfort food for breakfast.  For the dressing I used some traditional ingredients as well as some lemon honey crème from Honey Ridge Farms that I got in my swag bag at Camp Blogaway for sweetness and for a bit more citrus zing.

Making the Avocado Mango Topping

You’ll be hearing more about Honey Ridge Farms soon, but I couldn’t resist using the crème in this recipe because it is divine Although nothing will ever be as good as the real thing, my avo-don was darn good!  Whenever I make a vegetarian version of a Japanese dish, I always think of my friend Stephanie who’s a vegetarian and loves Japan like I do.  So Stephanie, this one’s for you!

Avocado Mango Ricebowl, aka Avo-don

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Avo-don (Avocado Mango Donburi)

Makes 2 servings

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Honey Ridge Lemon Honey Crème (or substitute lemon curd)
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1 ripe avocado (about 8 ounces), chopped
1 ripe mango (about 12 ounces), chopped

2 cups steamed Japanese rice

1. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients in a medium-size bowl. Add the chopped avocado and mango and toss to coat in the sauce.

2. Separate the rice into two bowls and top with the avocado mango mixture. Serve immediately.

{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Yuri May 6, 2011 at 12:56 pm

I love this, Rachael! My dad brought me 2 huge cases of his mangoes and I’ve been adding them to salads and guacamole. Happy Mother’s Day! :D

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 6, 2011 at 3:09 pm

@Yuri, LOVE LOVE LOVE mangoes!!

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gleek May 6, 2011 at 12:58 pm

aw thanks!! this looks sooooo yummy. i’ll have to get my hands on some of that lemon curd!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 6, 2011 at 3:09 pm

@gleek, Definitely, anything from Honey Ridge Farms is a good choice!

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Mils May 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm

What a great idea…making me hungry noow…mm mm

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Heather (Heather's Dish) May 6, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Wow this looks like an amazing and different breakfast! I’m totally making it thus weekend!

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Anisha July 21, 2016 at 2:55 pm

i also found some purple docs in a thrift store a couple of weeks ago. but they were too big for me, so i gave them to my boyfriend for vantelines day. he’s worn them every day ever since : D

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I’m not easily impressed. . . but that’s impressing me! :)

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Lindsey@Lindselicious May 6, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Oooh those avocados look so good- almost sexy! Love this combination- I have everything but the creme at home. (Which looks amazing and I cant wait to hear how to get it!)

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Kristina Vanni May 6, 2011 at 2:11 pm

I agree…isn’t that honey lemon creme phenomenal? I admit to just eating it with a spoon ;) What a fantastic, simple recipe you have here – love it!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 6, 2011 at 3:11 pm

@Kristina Vanni, Eating it with a spoon? I wouldn’t know how that tastes . . . uhmmmmmm, yeah right! LOL Guilty!!

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Mimi from California Avocados Direct May 6, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Thank you for posting this recipe with all the great photos! I’m in Vermont for a few weeks taking care of my mother. We just received a Mother’s Day gift box of California Avocados from my son, Ben, of California Avocados Direct…will definitely try out this recipe!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 7, 2011 at 3:11 pm

@Mimi from California Avocados Direct, Can’t wait to hear what you think Mimi! :)

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Lyndsey May 6, 2011 at 4:42 pm

Simple beautiful! What a lovely comforting dish. I know my daughter would love this too. That avocado does look creamy…like butter!

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Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} May 6, 2011 at 5:26 pm

It is just starting to warm up here and that looks absolutely fantastic! What a great combination of flavors. You never cease to impress me!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 7, 2011 at 3:12 pm

@Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom}, You are too sweet! Thanks! :)

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Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) May 6, 2011 at 7:10 pm

Rachael, I love this post and recipe!

I am kicking!!! myself that I didnt go to Camp Blogaway. What was i thinking!? I love the pic of you by the sign. You are beautiful and playful all in one.

And your recipe…avo and mango. Music to my ears!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 7, 2011 at 3:20 pm

@Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga), I so wish you had been there too!

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Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) May 20, 2011 at 3:55 pm

Next year! Marla tried to convince me to go at the last second, but I knew I had this Aruba trip and it was just too much to swing but yeah, next year.

And will I be seeing you at Blogger Camp 2012? maybe someplace warm?! Marla and I are going, even though Matt & Adam havent announced details…we’re there.

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LiztheChef May 6, 2011 at 8:01 pm

I am so behind in thanking you for all the sponsors you highlighted. OK, now can I just say I miss you?!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 7, 2011 at 3:20 pm

@LiztheChef, Miss you too!

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Katrina May 7, 2011 at 12:19 am

Very cool recipe. A must try!

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Ethan May 8, 2011 at 9:53 pm

hmmm, someone telling me to take as many avacado as I want, where’s my bag!
This avo-don looks amazing, i’d be happy waking up to that:)

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) May 9, 2011 at 3:21 pm

@Ethan, LOL, you and me both! If I’d had access to a truck, I would have used it! :)

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Kathy Gori May 10, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Love it! Two of my favorite foods. A definite must try!

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Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum May 22, 2011 at 8:07 pm

This is lovely! My in-laws lived in Japan for many years so maybe I will make this next time they come for dinner. Mango and avocado… you just can’t go wrong!

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Charissa May 23, 2011 at 9:41 am

Haha, I would totally be cuddled up next to a sign with an avocado on it too. I’m such a fan of the butter fruit. But that picture made me smile!

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Jun May 23, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Never tried this on rice… Sounds interesting!

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