cant fault them on anything! great price, great food and great service :)
Really quick for staff to pack the food into containers, food really good for price although the menu is limited. Don don box really delicious, I’m full from half of it already and will have the rest for dinner, that’s how value for money it is.
Start with the salad first the fruit and mayo mix well and creates a nice combination
Meats chicken and beef are cooked well although the sauces itself can be quite salty, the rice will help with that. Overall cheap, delicious for price and quantity
Will eat there again
Can’t really fault this place at all, the portions are massive and the prices are cheap as. Great feed for those days you don’t want to spend too much :)
Food: Okay.
Service: Pay and sit.
Ambience: Inner city. Loud students. Like that.
Value: Was almost going to give 3 stars, then I thought, who am I kidding? This is exactly what I came for.
Great place for a quick lunch. Very affordable, great value. Amazing taste. I had a sashimi bowl. Huge amount of sashimi. Some of the best sashimi I have had. Amazing.
Probably my favourite eating place in the city. Food is cheap but tasty & filling. Adore the vibes here.
The price is very affordable yet the taste was so good! One of the best Melbourne Cheap Eats.
I bought a tofu curry don yesterday for lunch. It was pretty good; the curry had a tiny bit of a kick, the vegetables were all good and the tofu was cooked well. For $6.90, it was definitely worth a quick and delicious lunch. I appreciate the lovely service at the counter and I look forward to coming back again to try their other options!
Ever since being hooked onto sashimi bowls, I've been on a hunt to try the best bang for the buck sashimi don. I can now safely say, Don Don does one of the best, if not the best valued Sashimi Don in Melb!
I visit Don Don almost once a week - they consistently have good customer service (pretty good for a fast food takeaway restaurant), efficient and big portions for what you pay! By accident, I also discovered you can request to not have specific toppings like ginger & salad, they will end up giving you 1 more slice of Tofu and a bit more pickles instead! Love that even though they are cheap and high volume, they never skimp on the ingredients and always fresh in quality.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! :)
Well being a good fan of Japanese food, this place is a pure gem. My favorite is the chicken curry don. lots of chicken pieces together with some green veggies plus rich curry sauce. Yum
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These place have been around for ages and is popular with the uni students.
This is perfect if you need a lunch or dinner in a hurry because they food is served very fast.
The bento box and chicken katsu curry is good and the portions are nicely sized.
Food is served super fast. It's worth noting that the establishment is cash only. Even with a line the wait is usually only a few minutes. Recommend takeout because of how full the restaurant can be.
Highly recommend Don Don. Food is served SUPER fast, I hadn't even finished paying yet and the food was already served!
We got the following dishes: chicken katsu curry, beef gyudon
Overall, food was tasty but they serve a lot more rice compared to the meat. So if I had one wish, it would be they should add more meat (or decrease their rice lol)
The food is great quality, Authentic and fresh. It's kind of Japanese fast food. The sfaff is very friendly and helpful. All of that at a very good value. I highly recommend it.
I was in the mood for some healthy lunch meal, so I came to Don Don near Melbourne central after work. Can’t go wrong with classic bento box!
Don Don box. I usually walk past here during the day and there's a line out the door. Still busy after 8pm. My order was ready in about 90 seconds. Unreal! All for $10. Will return.
amazing food, very quick service and great price. My personal fave is the pork katsu curry, I would highly recommend this to any curry lovers out there. Guaranteed to leave your taste buds happy!
Decent food at prices better than most of the places in the area. However, don't go expecting anything really nice.... and there are times where I feel like I'd rather pay the extra few dollars to have something that actually tastes great rather than "just okay".
Good food for value! Sashimi don was delicious, packed with fresh salmon, pickles and salad. Portion is generous as well. The only meh for me is their table always full with empty bowls or trays from previous customers.
Will I be back? Yes!
Remembering those good old uni days when ques were really long for that yummy Don don bento box or a hot Chikan curry with rice.
Absolutely cheap and good value for money or I would say a bargain. It sure is pumping all the time from people on there office breaks, tourist and uni students. It’s sure a Melbourne delight
Love Don Don, where they have their ordering process so finely tuned. Some “global fast food chains” could learn a few things from Don Don. My favourites are the teriyaki chicken, so smoky, and the super fresh Sashi Don. All delivered before you can put the change from paying with a ten dollar note back in your pocket!
Quick, tasty, affordable japanese don place. This place has extremely fast service that is even faster than macdonalds. I normally would get the curry chicken don. Pretty good.
Quick & budget friendly Japanese eats.
The place is quite spacious but it is always, like always crowded so it can feel cramped and noisy.
It's like a fast food service where you pay and wait in line before taking your meal. And man it is fast. I've been here couple times and it's always lightning speed! They're also pretty friendly.
Now food. The portion is pretty generous, especially for its price. The taste? I personally think it's enjoyable. It's definitely not the best as chicken lack marination, and beef can be a bit too sweet, but still it's understandable considering the price. I do like the curry but I prefer it separate cus i don't like my whole rice drenched in it. At its best, the taste can score just a tiny bit above average.
Lastly, if you're after an authentic Japanese eatery then this is not the place. However it's perfect for those who are busy or on just a budget.
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ｘｘ、 ｊｏｅｌｌｅ
A joint serving rice bowls. A very fast moving place with very good value in proportion to their portion sizes. Tends to be crowded with decent tasting food.
Great value for money; super fast service! Missed out on the fried chicken but the pan grilled chicken is pretty great too. Can’t fault the generous portions either! As an added bonus, get the lemon lime soda - tastes just like those lemon lime popsicles with vanilla ice cream in the centre!
I really loved it... their serving is huge enough to fill your hungry tummy. The taste is authentic and worth it... a must try when in melbourne.
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I have been visiting Don Don regularly for the last couple of months. Every day, after the gym, I walk up to this restaurant and get my Donburi. This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in town. Since I regularly have my lunch from here I got acquainted with the staff. If there is a long queue I will just whisper "Chicken" or "Beef" from the doorstep and my take away box will be ready by the time I pay the bill.
The reasons why I gave this place 5-star rating are;
1. The food here is delicious. I have tried some other rice bowl meals in the China town and was not up to the mark
2. For a student like me, it is very affordable
3. High value for money - the quantity is good that it can easily fill up your tummy
4. The staff are friendly and courteous
5. The restaurant is well maintained even though it may get very crowded at times
I have once tried the Niku Udon Beef soup, the guy gave me curry and masala in a container separately. Personally, I didn't like the seaweed that they put in and I am no expert in this cuisine. I see that many people love it and therefore, can't complain.
The only problem I found this place is they only accept cash payments. This was a huge inconvenience for me. I talked with the manager and he said they will roll out the EFTPOS payment soon. The food is delicious and I must say, I get my protein portion for the day from here. Keep up the good work guys. Cheers.
Quick cheap delicious Japanese bento place. Service is so quick makes it perfect spot for quick meal or when you are in hurry. My go to dish is curry chicken
Just about the best value for a lunch you are likely to find in the CBD. The Dear Luncher really wanted some ramen, but the staff member in question legitimately did not know what ramen is. The Dear Luncher had to struggle for a moment and pick up his jaw from the floor, then reassess what would be consumed for lunch.
The beef soba noodle soup was opted for instead. A measly $8.60 gets you a hearty bowl of fresh, piping hot soup with plenty of beef, noodles and other stuff in it. The speed at which this food is delivered is almost hard to believe. This is a truly efficient assembly line of culinary goodness.
4.5/5.
Don Don's is on of my go to's for cheap eats in the CBD. Can be in and out within 10 minutes which is crucial when i'm on the go. I have been here countless times. My favourites being the Beef Don, Chicken Don and the Bento. Dons is always consistent and have never had any issues. The servings are more then substantial and is given to you within a minute. Would definitely recommend to students studying in the area.
Absolutely love Don Don, found this place a while back when searching "cheap eats cbd" and it certainly lives up to that, I'm able to eat a filling dinner for under $7 which is a must for students. On the occasions that I've been the tofu don (which is delicious) has been served very quickly. I've taken friends here and we've always been able to find a place to sit and eat dinner which is a bonus, the staff are always courteous. The only thing I must add is that because the food is prepared so quickly I'd be cautious eating the meat because it might have been sitting out for a while...
Perfect place to go to for a quick yet great meal! The place itself can be quite messy sometimes but I can find a clean enough seat to enjoy my meal. Very fast service and polite staff. The food was prepared well and very delicious. Will definitely come again.
I had been to DonDon with a couple of mates. I was told that the chicken curry don is a must have and yeah it lived up to its name.
Yummy, really good Japanese food and a value on your pocket.
If you’re looking for a place to give your wallet a rest. Don Dons is the place to go. All meals are under $10 and they don’t stinge on the serving portions either. Personal favourite is the don don box containing meat, veggies and healthy desert (fruit!) all in one meal. However their sauces pack quite a flavour punch and I would always bring lots of water for during and after the meal.
Otherwise food comes pretty fast and service is always friendly.
The sukiyaki don has been a go to lunch for me. Cheap, plenty of it, and the ginger is easy to pick off (it's a bit strong for my taste). I wasn't a big fan of the buta teriyaki don.
Attended last night and was impressed. Seriously fast service, excellent choice available. I got the Don Don Box - chicken, beef, salad and bento rice, in a large box. Incredibly good and great value at only $9.70. I will be back for this many more times in the future.
Perfect place to go to for a quick, cheap meal. Most of the menu items are all under $10 and the portions are massive. Make sure to bring cash guys as it’s a cash only spot :)
Cheap, taste nice, and served very quickly. It's very hard to beat Don Don in terms of value you getting from your paid food. The place itself can be quite messy sometimes but hey I usually can find clean enough seat to enjoy my meal. The chicken curry is my personal favourite here, but their other dishes are very good too.
Very fast service and polite staff. The food was prepared well and very delicious. Will definitely come again. However, the wasabi was mixed with the soy sauce which could have been placed separately for people who don't particularly like wasabi.
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Great food, cheap prices! Cant go wrong!!
🔆LOCATION🔆
Hidden away on Little Lonsdale Street (between Swanston and Elizabeth) right next to the pedestrian crossing between Melbourne Central. Easy to find but not an building if you're not familiar with the area.
🔆SERVICE🔆
There isn't really much service. As you walk in there is a menu board against the wall behind the cashier desk. You line up and order. There are 2 cashiers, depending which side you order you need to stand on the same side to wait and collect your order. The wait is only a few minutes, the kitchen staff is extremely fast in getting the meals out and it's because they pre-make everything in big batches (i.e. Curry chicken etc). Once you receive your meal (on a tray) you find yourself a seat in the dining area.
🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
It's the best Japanese cheap eats in the CBD. The quality and quantity is well worth the price.
The price has recently increased, still pretty good I guess in line with fluctuations in food costs and more competitive in the area. The Sashi Don is now $10.50 compared to previous cost of $9.80.
🔆VERDICT🔆
When I work late in the office and don't have time to buy groceries to go home and cook, I will head over to Don Don for take away to bring home and eat. I know it will taste good and its just simple Japanese, no fuss.
Not that this premise only accepts cash. It has always been like this even back in the days like 20 years ago when Don Don used to be a small joint on Swanston Street. You can understand why Don Don has lasted for so long, it caters for the students, busy corporate workers and even tourists.
I normally go for the Sashi Don because I love Sashimi, has a mix of salad and rice plus picked ginger and picked sour plum. Its a really nice combination. Its light and easy to eat.
I will definitely keep coming back here, never tired of this place.
Fast service, great prices, excellent food.
This place is always packed and it is easy to see why. The food is prepared promptly and you get a generous portion for a good price.
Only real negative is that they only accept cash payments and the seating is a bit cramped.
Eatfoodlikeabossmelbourne
+5
Was worth the wait in line!.. Been wanting to try DonDon for a long time now, and I am fortunate I did. You may have to wait a little in line, but don’t worry once you order, no joke under a minute they serve up your delicious food. We had the Chicken Curry don and the niku udon and it didn’t dissapoint. The curry was tasty and soaked up the rice well and the udon noodles went well with the very flavoursome broth. For the price you pay, surprisingly you get a generous portion size, and a pretty damn decent meal!!Can’t wait to get back and try all other menu items I love Japanese!!
Affordable, fast and really tasty. Went for two rounds of food! Got the curry tofu and beef and were both amazing! Will definitely come back again.
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
+4
Me and my friends always grab lunch at this place when we were in university. Their food is cheap, fast and yummy. It is kind of KFC but healthier in Japanese version. My favourite are the curry and teriyaki chicken.
Cheap healthy good food. Been coming here for years!! Fast and tasty. Variety on the menu too. Even salad options. Always busy so always fresh.
Ace little Japanese place. Quick, simple and delicious! The menu is short and super cheap. Order, wait a few minutes and enjoy. Plenty of space to sit in if you want. It’s cash only which is slightly inconvenient, but if that’s all there is to complain about, I’m happy to walk a few meters to find an atm.
The most economic Japanese cuisine I have ever eaten in Melbourne. Great taste with enough volume of food. Will definitely try the second time. Really recommend to you all. People are quite more during the eating time but worth waiting!
Steven Yuniansyah Suyanto
+5
Taste so nice. Cheap. I like the food here. The staff is very friendly as well. Would definetaly come back here next time! They have a japanese environment as well.
Food is super cheap and the serving is generous. It is good considering the price! Definitely will be a great place for people who works in the office to have a quick meal.
Came back multiple times for a meal because the food here is just so cheap, delicious and quick. Food arrives under a minute after you pay, which is the quickest ever. The bento box is really valued for money - only $10 and you get a large portion of rice, meat, salad and fruits. The salmon don was really nice too. Didn’t quite like the chicken curry don cause there was too much curry sauce which made everything too salty.
I have tried the buta teriyaki don, sukiyaki don, beef curry don. My favorite one here was beef curry don, the curry sauce was yummy mixed with the rice and portion was just right. It’s really convenient for having quick meals here.
Delicious food, very fast, very fair prices and portions. The real deal. Annoying that they're cash only, but I forgive them given everything else is great.
Don't let yourself be fooled by the stigma that such cheap prices must mean low quality food! I did and the thought of how many great meals I missed is depressing.
I've tried a lot of places in the CBD but I haven't found anything that can provide the same quality for that kind of price.
Absolutely worth it!!! Servings are generous, service is fast and dishes are super cheap. Would definitely come back if I want a cheap and filling meal. 🍱😀😀
Hungry Little Dinosaur
+4
No muss no fuss! The only place in Melbourne where you get your food before your change. Hearty hot curry on a cold winters night, or cool soba salad to eat on the state library lawn. A Melbourne institution!
I have been here for a couple of times. The wait time from you place your order till you get your food is even faster than Macca’s or any other fast food chains. The quality of foods is just average but the portion is big and cheap
When it comes to eating out on a low budget, I really recommend this place. The decent sizing and reasonable pricing coming with an ordinarily good quality of foods draw everyone's attention. It can be really crowded during peak hours.
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I have been going to this place for a long time now. This is one of the best places for students. Its cheap, have great food, and placed in just the right place. Its just on the side of melbourne central. Cost of food ranges from roughly $6.50 to $10.
They offer combination of rice or noodle with your choice of meat. And if you want a mix of something and you dont see on the menu, they are really nice to make it for you. It has never taken more than 2 minutes to get my food even if they are really busy. Staff is really nice and polite.
I have never been disappointed with the food here. Rice and curry chicken is one of my favourites. The chicken is really soft and the flavour of the gravy is spot on. Rice is cooked to perfection. They combine nicely cooked food with really quick service and big portions, and you can't ask for anythig else.
I asked for udon noodles with chicken, and they were happy to prepare it for me. And it was just amazing. The soup was so flavourful, udon noodle were cooked to perfection and the chicken so tender. It was one of the best udon i've had.
They have a huge seating area with a shared big round table in the middle. I recommend this place to everyone and i haven't found even 1 person who didn't like it here. :)
I had the tofu curry don for $6.5 which is surprisingly have a great taste and a generous portion. I like the flavor and I love that pickled radish as well. Totally going back for more 😊
This place has been here since at least 2001. There a reason for that: it’s darn tasty. The dishes are simple yet taste great. The prices don’t seem to have risen much since 2001 either. The sukiyaki don beef is so delicious it’s almost unnatural.
Legit such a cheap place. The food here is extremely decent and tastes better than you would expect for the price. It’s great for a student budget too. It might be a bit crowded since everyone comes here to snag a deal, but it’s totally worth it!
Not many places can beat Don Don on their pricing. For the cost of a bubble tea, you get a full meal with meat in it! Service is super efficient albeit impersonal but at these prices, who cares mate?! Tried the chicken curry Don recently. Tasted wonderful....loved the savoury curry sauce! I might be showing my age here, but as they used to say in those TV ads, "is Don, is good"!
Don Don is tucked away on little Lonsdale street with an unassuming entrance. The service is typical ‘in and out’ with a dozen or so options including Japanese curries, noddle dishes and a bento box. Staff are always friendly in this no-fuss, no-frills restaurant and there’s plenty of space to dine in.
I usually opt for the tofu curry don as it’s my personal favourite; aromatic, full of flavour and severed with an ample helping of picked veg for crunch and a tangy boost.
Price point is VERY reasonable with $10-15 well and truly covering any of the options.
Could not recommend Don Don highly enough.
Awesome place. We were here on holiday and visited this place three times! Food is great, portions generous - but what won us over was the very warm service we got from the girl at the counter. On our first encounter, we mentioned when our flight home was. One week on, the day before we flew, she remembered and wished us a safe flight home. You don't get service like this anymore, and she made our dining experience extra special. Very humble and warm place!
Great place to pop in and out for lunch. It’s short and simple menu does wonders in helping to make a choice of what to eat, and coupled with the extremely quick service, you’ll be having some food real quick! Very decently priced for a filling feed. Only points which prevent it from being a 5 star review would have to be the somewhat cramped seating and not too pleasant decor inside the establishment. The taste of the food is also not the best you can get around the CBD, but averaging $8 for a quick, filling, and decent lunch, I’ll be sure to visit again if I’m in need of a quick bite.
Ive been here twice so far and have been loving it. Its menu is very small but portions are 100% worth the price. Taste is again a 100% from me. Def nice place to hangout and have some cheap yet yummy food.
Ps: They take cash only.
I have been in Don don maybe 300 times, why? if you are student like me You will understand! The price is ridiculous is cheap!!! The food are delicious and taste with good portions! Don Don Is my favourite place in all Melbourne if you want a good, taste and cheap food in the CBD this is the place! Try the dondon box! Lovely
Came here twice during my visit to Melbourne and was absolutely blown away. The best Japanese curry I’ve ever had, the sauce was amazingly good and the chicken / pork were very crispy. Serving size was generous and all for around $10. I can see why this place is so popular with people of all ages (but particularly uni students). 10/10 would recommend
Cheap, tasty Japanese foods tucked outside of Melbourne Central. I only wished that the dish included more vegetables. Additionally, the staff only comes out to clean the tables every now and then.
Overall, great food and portions for the price if you're looking for a quick eats!
Ah, this is a great place if you want decent, affordable food quickly. I had the sake don with miso soup and green tea and it cost me $14 in total. I enjoyed the sake don, there was a generous amount of fish and sides and just the right amount of rice. The miso soup is on the bland side though. I haven't tried the other food options in a while but I remembered them being pretty good too. This place does get crowded quickly. I arrived around 11:00 am and by 11:30 there were a lot of people lining up to order. If you want to eat in, I would suggest arriving earlier rather than later. Toilets were also not available when I was there but hopefully that will be rectified soon.
Cheap eats.
$8.70 for some sliced meat soaked in sake sauce and rice.
Can't complain for the price.
Quick fix, easy to eat. Extremely quick serving times.
Used to often eat at Don Don in 2014, but since then I've been employed elsewhere. Now that I work in the city again am ecstatic Don Don is still operaring during these turbulent times and am very grateful. Food is fresh and flavoursome, it felt like a reunion with a long lost family member.
Best value food in the CBD. Sukiyaki Don comes with a generous serving of beef, and is only $8. Tastes amazing, and only a 2 minute wait!
Jonathon G (Theerealjono)
+4
Wow when people say "best cheap food in the CBD" they probably aren't lying! The Chicken Curry Don was delicious.
Meals are quite small, but very good value for money.
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The best cheapest Japanese foods in CBD so far. The taste is fair, the service is quick. Most of the time always ready around 5 minutes since payment made.
I know it's not designed to be the most delicious, but to be the most suitable for their target market. Even during slow time is still making very constant customers coming. And make quick order even have long line during lunch time.
I paid for $11.80 for my Sashi Don, is the most expensive i could get, but still decent amount of portion.
The cheapest is $8.20 for Tofu Curry Don. Seems the range is ultra cheap in the middle of CBD.
It's very suitable for tight budget travelers that still want fair service and taste of Japanese foods.
+ Cheap
+ Big Portion
+ Quick Service
- Messy table during rush time
- More smile for server staff 😃
Conclusion :
Nothing better than Don Don so far in Melbourne with very good location, quick service, and definitely best price. All parts that need to be upgraded is seemed unnecessary as long as Don Don still keep the price affordable and quick for the product and service. So glad to have you in Melbourne ⭐️
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