Bowls of Goodness: Top 10 places in Singapore to get your donburi fix

huibing 10 Jul 2017

1/10
Tanuki Raw
Tanuki Raw is no small name when it comes to serving delicious rice bowls. Fresh oysters are always a great way to kickstart a meal, but we love jumping straight into their mains. The Tanuki kaisen chirashi don is a good pick with an impressive selection of ingredients, but the Hokkaido Kaisen Don ($39.90) brings it to the next level. Fresh sea-urchin, fish roe, snow crab and scallop, all layered on top of rice, complemented with salmon and egg. Delicious!

181 Orchard Rd, #04-01 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896

111 Middle Road, #01-05 National Design Centre, Singapore 188969

Photo: @justinfoodprints
2/10
Fat Cow
There are many steakhouses located around Singapore, but Fat Cow has made a name for being one of the best luxurious restaurants serving up impeccable beef in various ways. While their claypot donburi is a unique take on the traditional donburi, we have our eyes set on their Fatcow Premium Donburi ($98). This bowl is one for indulgence, with wagyu steak, foie gras, caviar, and sea urchin. Poke the accompanied onsen egg for additional flavour.

1 Orchard Boulevard, Camden Medical Centre #01-02, Singapore 248649

Photo: Fat Cow Facebook
3/10
Sushi Jin
The Les Amis Group’s Sushi Jin hits the spot with their range of delicious Japanese dishes. While you can’t go wrong with their omakase set, their Kaisen don ($45) is an absolute delight. While the exact ingredients vary according to what is in season, you know you’re getting your money’s worth with this selection of Hokkaido snow crab, uni, and fatty tuna to boot, on top of even more slices of sashimi.

1 Farrer Park Station Road, #01-11/12 Owen Link, Singapore 217562

Photo: Sushi Jin Instagram
4/10
Man Man Japanese Restaurant
If you don’t understand the appeal of unagi (eel), you might be quick to give Man Man a skip. But, take the plunge and experience the true taste of fresh eel right here and you will not regret it. The Hitsumabushi ($26.80) is filled with fresh char grilled eel with an impeccable dashi and spice broth that your stomach will definitely enjoy. And, if that isn’t enough to convince you, get this: the owner initially didn’t like unagi either, and the head chef’s skills made him do a complete one-eighty.

1 Keong Saik Road, #01-01, 089109

Photo: @wenoms
5/10
Tendon Itsuki
Words are simply not enough to describe how the Special Tendon set ($13.90) truly tastes like, but it can be summarised in one word: good. Without being soggy, the ingredients are all marinated in the signature savoury sauce that provides the kick. With two pieces of prawn and chicken, four pieces of vegetables and a half-boiled egg, the complimentary miso soup and steamed egg custard is merely the icing on top of a delicious meal.

101 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088522

Photo: @ikigaij089
6/10
D2TLLRY
This Japanese bar and restaurant comes with an impressive atmosphere that has made this a watering hole for many customers. But, we aren’t there just because of the ambience— the food here will leave you salivating. Their bara chirashi don ($18) is a signature item on the menu, and is served up with a selection of marinated fresh seafood and roe that you will immediately devour up.

50 Market Street #01-28A, Golden Shoe Car Park, Singapore 048940

Photo: D2TLLRY Instagram
7/10
IZY Dining and Bar
It is probably a no-brainer that a bowl with truffle would make this list, and IZY Dining and Bar has delivered on that front. This izakaya brings forth the notable aspects of Japanese bars, and provides magnificent meals to boot. The Wagyu Truffle Don ($38) is an easy (IZY) pick that will definitely impress. The sliced beef melts in your mouth, with a sweet sauce that leaves you wanting more, and the freshly-shaved truffle flakes will provide you with that oomph.

27 Club St, Singapore 069413

Photo: @veronicaphua
8/10
Ginza Kuroson Singapore
Amidst the wonderful atmosphere and the extensive menu, find delight in the Ryoshi-Gokai Nagekomi Don ($22) that proves that affordability does not have to come with the cost of taste. Enjoy thick slices of imported fish from Japan, like yellowfish tuna and sea bream, all set on top of delicately cooked Japanese rice. Prawns, scallop, and roe also decorate the bowl. This set lunch is followed with a miso soup, salad, and a dessert. Worth it!

30 Robertson Quay, #01-10/11 Riverside View, Singapore 238251

Photo: @ondehandre
9/10
The Refinery
While The Refinery is, first and foremost, a workspace for creative minds to gather, they also serve up amazing meals that is definitely worth the visit. And the Epic Beef Donburi ($25) merely proves how absolutely delicious the dishes here are. Exclusive in their brunch menu, this is a bowl of epic proportions. With pan-seared foie gras, the thinly-sliced ribeye shines magnificently, which is only further enhanced by the onsen egg.

115 King George's Avenue #01-02, Singapore 208561

Photo: @paulustjia
10/10
Sandaime Bunji
Sure, the pictures may be impressive, but nothing beats seeing it in real-life. As the waitress walks over to you with the bowl, be prepared with your camera and keen eyes to marvel at this towering mountain of beef. Topped with crunchy garlic flakes that provide a good contrast with the tender meat, the Wagyu Round Roast Beef Set ($19.90) also comes with ox tail soup, a salad, and tofu!

9 Raffles Blvd, #01-14/15, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596

Photo: @rikchee

These donburi bowls are about to take your rice bowl game to the next level.

We Singaporeans love our rice. After all, we have our famed Hainanese chicken rice (succulent tender chicken paired with aromatic rice), and of course, sushi has been an infallible pick for the masses. But, there’s one dish that has gained the love of many, and rightfully so. We are talking about versatile donburi bowls, of course!

Sure, that’s a pretty broad category – after all, donburi bowls are simply Japanese rice bowls, filled with short-grain rice and inundated with additional toppings. That’s not to say the types of donburi bowls available in Singapore are lacking in punch or flavour! There are so many to choose from, with plenty of restaurants making names for themselves as the best spot to get a hearty bowl. Feeling like you need a little more meat? Gyudon (beef bowls) or butadon (pork bowls) will definitely satisfy. Want that seafood kick? Get a serving of unadon (unagi bowls) or kaisendon (sashimi bowls). Seeking a little more crunch to complement the rice? Try the tendon (tempura bowls) or katsudon (deep-fried pork cutlet bowls). And, the list just keeps going on and on!

Still not absolutely in love with them? Then, let us introduce to you the 10 awesome restaurants that serve up the most impressive donburi bowls here in Singapore. Scroll back up to check out gallery out!

Lee Hui Bing

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