Dondonya

Dondonya @ Elements Mall

Assorted sashimi bowl

 Sashimi was not bad; it was fresh save for the slightly fishy salmon roe. Normally they have salmon too but as I don't eat raw salmon they simply took it out - my understanding is that they won't substitute other fish for you here... at least not when I've visited.

Rolled Pork and Shiso Katsu

I loved the flavor of the shiso leaves though I thought the crust could've been less oily - definitely not on par with Tonkichi's frying techniques.

The works: sesame, tonkatsu sauce, house sauce which tastes like pork - mix less or more of each as you please.

On another visit, I sampled the below items: 

Kimchi beef stone pot rice

 This stone pot rice is always a safe and good option - slightly spicy, tender beef cooked fully (if you mix it nearer to the bottom), and the crispy crust of the rice at the bottom....

Hokkaido seafood rice bowl + set upgrade

ikura, ebi, hotate

  I really enjoyed the salty/briny flavour of the ikura mixed with the scallop, shrimp and rice though it was leaning towards the fishy side.

Eel Stone Pot Rice

For those who avoid raw foods yet don't want deep-fried items, I would highly recommend this eel stone pot rice topped with an egg. The eel had a good balance of sweet-salty taste from the kabayaki sauce with the hot stone crispy rice at the bottom and soft egg mixed in, it was delicious!

Dondonya may not be a top-notch Japanese restaurant, but if you look at is as casual fare (which, given its prices, it surely is), it's a good option if you're in elements - just note there may be a longer wait time during dinner hours on weekends.

Food: ♥♥♥ 

Service: ♥♥

Price: Range from HK$120-300pp  depending on the rice bowl.

 

Dondonya
2103-5, Level 2, Elements 

1 Austin Road West,

Kowloon
Hong Kong 
T: +852 2196 8589 (walk-in only)