5 Places in Singapore To Get Your Japanese Don Fix

In the land where food options grow in abundance, there is always something for everyone. Singapore is a foodie’s haven with a limitless amount of options for you to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for places to sate your Japanese Don cravings, well, look no further.

The Refinery

Image from The Refinery Facebook

Located a stone’s throw away from Lavender MRT, The Refinery introduces a new concept of infusing a casual dining restaurant, mixology bar and designer workspace.

Serving Japanese Donburi rice bowls, The Refinery is unique for their own take of famous Japanese dishes, like the Unagi Don. Aside from its aesthetically pleasing food presentation, The Refinery stands out for its unique blend of flavours especially catered to suit local palates.

Image from The Refinery Instagram

The Unagi Don, otherwise known as Unadon, is a popular pick amongst customers for its reasonably sized Unagi, that’s rich in flavour and goes hand in hand with its sweet and savoury Tare sauce. Topping off the dish is the 72 Degree Onsen Tamago; a slow-cooked sous vide-style egg, that’s served on the sides. Just look at its mouth-watering consistency.

Image from The Refinery Instagram

Another must-try at The Refinery is their Truffle Shimeji Beef Gyudon. If you’re a fan of truffle, then this is your calling. The dish comes with juicy Tare Marinated Beef, 72 Degree Onsen Tamago and fragrant Truffle Hon Shimeiji Mushrooms that’ll leave you craving for more.

Otherwise, you can grab a bite and opt to try their skewers or even grab a cold one with their happy hour promos starting from 6pm to 8pm daily.

The opening hours can be a little confusing at times so make sure to double check before heading down!

THE REFINERY
115 King George’s Avenue #01-02, 208561
Open from 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays
Open from 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 1am on Fridays
Open from 11am to 4pm, 6pm to 1am on Saturdays
Open from 11am to 4pm on Sundays
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Tanuki Raw

Image from Tanuki Raw Facebook

Starting from SGD$12, the Japanese Dons here at Tanuki Raw are a bit more affordable as compared to the other Japanese eateries offering donburis here in SIngapore. Nonetheless, this place a hot spot if you’re hanging around town. Located at Orchard Central, Tanuki Raw has grown fairly popular, with customers coming back for crowd-pleasing favourites such as their Donburis and, attractive cocktail and oyster happy hours.

Image from Tanuki Raw

One of their most popular dishes would be their Yakiniku Donburi. Strips of Angus short rib marinated with truffle sauce, placed on a bed of soft fluffy white rice, and topped with an sous-vide style onsen egg, what more could you ask for!

Image from Tanuki Raw Facebook

Oyster lovers, this one’s for you too. With top of the line oysters freshly picked on a daily basis along with Tanuki Raw’s happy hour promotion, it’s merely impossible to say no.

TANUKI RAW
181 Orchard Road, 04-01 Orchard Central, 238896
Open daily from 11.30am to 10.30pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant

Image from Burpple

Be it family gatherings, catching up with friends or colleagues, Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant is worth the try if you’re making dinner plans. Catering to almost every palate, this restaurant offers an extensive menu that will leave you spoilt for choice.

Owned by renowned Chef Teppei Yamashita, Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant has made its name for its, well, you guessed it, Unagi Dons. The eels served here are flown from the Mikawa Isshiki region in Japan, that’s well-known for their freshwater eels.

The eels are then prepared right in front of diners at the restaurant itself, so it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The eels are marinated with tare sauce and grilled to perfection, making sure that it is caramelised but not overcooked.

MAN MAN JAPANESE UNAGI RESTAURANT @ DUO
7 Fraser St, #01-48 DUO Galleria Singapore, 189358
Open from 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm on Mondays to Saturdays
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MAN MAN JAPANESE UNAGI RESTAURANT @ KEONG SAIK ROAD
1 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, 089109
Open from 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm on Mondays to Saturdays
Facebook

Donya Japanese Cuisine

Image from Donya Japanese Cuisine Facebook

Donya Japanese Cuisine is a hidden gem that many are unaware of. With two outlets located at the heartlands of Singapore — one at Toa Payoh and the other opposite Bugis Plus — Donya is hands down one of the best places to head to if you’re looking for Japanese Dons without breaking the bank.

With bowls going as low as $8, the Japanese Dons sold here come with a bowl of miso soup and are all reasonably sized, making it well worth the buck.

Image from @donyasingapore

Customers usually come back for the popular Salmon Mentai Don. What’s so good about it you may ask? It’s creamy, savoury and definitely filling, all at such a small price tag. An advice to take; make sure to come down early to skip the lunch crowd if you’re planning to visit in the afternoon.

DONYA JAPANESE CUISINE @ BUGIS
269 Queen St, #01-236 Singapore 180269
Open daily from 11am to 8.45pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram

DONYA JAPANESE CUISINE @ TOA PAYOH
126 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh
Open daily from 11am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 9.30pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Tendon Kohaku

Image from Tendon Kohaku Instagram

If you love Tempura as much as we do, this one’s just for you. As with all the bowls served at Tendon Kohaku, each Japanese Don Bowl comes with generous portions of meat and vegetables fried to crisp perfection, with the option of choosing between multigrain or Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice.

The only downside about Tendon Kohaku is their waiting line. Good food comes to those who wait, and thus, the queue, especially in the evenings, are exceptionally long. Hence, we advise you to come down a little earlier to avoid the large crowds. Trust us, it’s definitely worth the wait!

TENDON KOHAKU @ SUNTEC CITY
3 Temasek Boulevard #03-311, Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Open daily from 11am to 10.30pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram

TENDON KOHAKU @ BOAT QUAY
64 Circular Rd, #01-01, Singapore 049418
Open from 11.30am to 4pm, 5pm to 10pm on Mondays to Fridays
Website | Facebook | Instagram