Southern California-Style Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe

December 16, 2020Van

Prep time: 2 hours

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

If you’ve never heard of Mos 2, they’re the more delicious version of Flame Broiler and WaBa Grill. I’d call Mos the pioneer of SoCal style Teriyaki Chicken Bowls where chicken is charbroiled and served with a viscous Teriyaki sauce – the sauce is a lot sweeter and thicker than traditional teriyaki sauce. The original location opened in the 1980’s on Edinger in Santa Ana, near my alma mater, Mater Dei High School – it was called Mos Burger. I’m not sure if it was affiliated with the popular Mos Burger chain in Japan, but they do share the same logo, so I’m guessing there was a connection. At some point, they stop serving burgers and changed the name to Mos 2. and pretty much just served Teriyaki bowls and plates. The original Edinger location is long gone, but they still have a few locations in North Santa Ana and Anaheim. After all these years, it still tastes the same and definitely the best Teriyaki bowl you can get in Orange County. Now that I live thousands of miles away, I’ve figured out how to make it at home since it was a family favorite.

My copycat of Mos’ Teriyaki Sauce, viscous, sweet & delicious! Southern California-Style Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe

Grilling the chicken on a BBQ is how you replicate that delicious charbroiled flavor. Southern California-Style Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe

If someone knows the story behind Mos 2’s connection with Mos Burger from Japan, please let me know in the comments below. Mos 2 - Mos Burger

I like to enjoy my teriyaki bowl with a salad of mixed greens, I’m still trying to figure out Mos’ unique salad dressing which is similar to French vinaigrette, so I’ve been using this Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing for now. I also pan fried some Trader Joe’s Gyoza to serve on the side. Southern California-Style Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing

Southern California-Style Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe

December 16, 2020 Van

Prep time: 2 hours
Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients

2.5 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 Cup Brown Sugar
¼ Cup + 2 Tablespoons Water
⅓ Cup Kikoman Soy Sauce (do not use less sodium)
¼ Cup Mirin
1 Garlic Clove, cut in half
2 Fresh Ginger slices, ⅓ inch thick & the size of a quarter
4 Servings of Cooked Short Grain Rice
3 Green Onions, chopped

Method

1)
In a bowl, add 2 Tablespoons Water, ⅓ Cup Kikoman Soy Sauce , ¼ Cup Mirin and set aside. Use a large sauce pan (at least 3qt) because the mixture bubbles up – add 1 Cup Brown Sugar and ¼ Cup of Water to the sauce pan, bring to a boil then simmer on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes (watch closely so it doesn’t bubble over). Pour in the Soy Sauce / Mirin mixture and simmer for another minute (be careful because it will bubble up vigorously). Turn off heat & add the garlic clove & ginger and stir for about 1 minute – remove garlic & ginger and discard. Wait until the sauce has cooled to room temperature.
2)
Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl, add ⅓ Cup of the Teriyaki sauce, stir and toss to make sure each piece is coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Reserve the rest of the teriyaki sauce for serving, store in a sealed container at room temp.
3)
Heat up a gas BBQ grill, using med-high heat on one side. If you have a charcoal BBQ grill, arrange the charcoal under half of the grill. Lightly oil the grate and sear chicken about 3-4 minutes per side until it turns golden brown. Move the pieces to the unlit side, cover the grill and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
4)
Place chicken on a cutting board, brush each piece with the Teriyaki sauce, cut into slices, serve over warm Rice and garnish with chopped Green Onions. Drizzle more teriyaki sauce on top if you prefer. Enjoy!

Notes

3 Comments

Marlene

January 29, 2021 at 4:16 pm

Omg I literally know the location of the Mos 2 and I’m so sad to hear the original location has closed. I literally have so many memories there. I will definitely try to make this. Thank you!

Reply
Renee

July 5, 2023 at 7:57 pm

This recipe was so good! The sauce tasted just like Mos 2. I moved out the state and have been missing Mos 2 A LOT. Great recipe!!

Reply
1. Van
  
  August 29, 2023 at 9:13 am
  
  I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!! I was back in CA this summer and enjoyed Mos several times, they’re still so good all these years
  
  Reply