Learn About Don
Your comprehensive guide to Japanese rice bowls. From history and culture to preparation techniques, become a donburi expert.
Best of Singapore
Ranked picks for the best bowls in Singapore, checked against each outlet.
Singapore's donburi chains compared: Sukiya, Yoshinoya, Kei Kaisendon, Tenya and more
Fifteen donburi chains in Singapore side by side: signature bowls with 2026 prices, outlet counts, price bands and halal status, from $4.90 gyudon to $37 hitsumabushi.
Best kaisendon in Singapore: 12 sashimi rice bowls worth queueing for (2026)
Twelve kaisendon and chirashi bowls in Singapore ranked with 2026 prices, from a $9.90 chirashi in Tampines to a $48 kaisen chirashi in Bugis, with the area, price band and bowl to order.
Cheap donburi in Singapore: 15 bowls under $12 (2026 prices)
Fifteen donburi priced under $12 in Singapore, ranked from $3.50 to $11.80, with the shop or chain, what you get and whether service charge and GST are added.
Best tendon in Singapore: 10 tempura rice bowls, from $8 counters to premium
Ten tendon shops in Singapore ranked with 2026 prices, from a $5 hawker bowl and an $8.80 light tendon to a $22 unagi tendon, with the area, price band and bowl to order.
Best gyudon in Singapore: chains, independents and premium wagyu bowls compared
Twelve gyudon bowls in Singapore compared with 2026 prices, from a $4.90 Sukiya medium to a $68 A5 wagyu bowl, covering chains, halal stalls, independents and premium wagyu.
Best unagi don and hitsumabushi in Singapore (2026 prices)
Ten unagi don and hitsumabushi picks in Singapore ranked with 2026 prices, from a $9 hawker unadon to a $50++ hitsumabushi set, with the area, price band and bowl to order.
Best katsudon in Singapore: where the cutlet bowl is done right
Twelve katsudon and katsu bowls in Singapore ranked with 2026 and late 2025 prices, from a $3.50 hawker katsu don to a $26.30++ pork loin katsu don, with area, price band and bowl to order.
Best oyakodon in Singapore: the chicken and egg bowl, from $6 to $20
Oyakodon is thin in Singapore, so this is an honest short list of six places with 2026 prices, from a $5.50 hawker chicken don to a $17.80++ salmon and roe oyako bowl.
Essential Reading
Don, Donburi and Don Pie: The Two Dons of Singapore Food
Why 'don' means a Japanese rice bowl on this site, why it gets mixed up with Don Pie, the Singapore chicken pie, and how to find the one you are hungry for.
Halal donburi in Singapore: where to eat a rice bowl that is MUIS certified or pork free
Which Singapore donburi chains and shops are halal or MUIS certified, with all 49 open halal outlets listed by area and a clear note on every listing that is not certified.
Chirashi don vs kaisendon vs bara chirashi: what is the difference and where to order each in Singapore
Kaisendon, chirashi don and bara chirashi all put raw fish on rice, but they are not the same bowl. Here is how they differ, with eight places to try each style and their 2026 prices.
The Secret to Perfect Don Rice
The unsung hero of every great bowl. Learn how restaurants achieve that perfectly seasoned, fluffy rice base.
Don Around the World
How donburi has been adapted globally, from Singapore's unique interpretations to fusion innovations in the West.
How to Eat Don Like a Local
Chopstick etiquette, proper mixing techniques, and the art of enjoying every grain. Master the authentic way to eat donburi.
Complete Guide to Don Types
Gyu, Buta, Kaisen, Ten, Unagi, Katsu, Oyako – learn about every major type of donburi and what makes each unique.
The History of Don
From Edo period fast food to global phenomenon. Trace the 400-year journey of donburi through Japanese culinary history.
What is Donburi?
An introduction to Japanese rice bowls, their origins, and why they've become one of Japan's most beloved comfort foods.
Deep Dive: Don Types
Comprehensive guides to each type of donburi, including history, regional variations, what to look for, and where to find the best in Singapore.
Buta Don: Hokkaido's Gift
The hearty pork bowl from Japan's northern frontier. Rich, caramelized, and deeply satisfying.
Oyako Don: Parent and Child Bowl
The poetically named chicken and egg rice bowl. Simple, soulful, and surprisingly nuanced.
Katsu Don: Crispy Comfort Food
The beloved pork cutlet bowl that fuels students and salarymen alike. History, variations, and the best katsu don in Singapore.
Unagi Don: The Art of Eel
Japan's most luxurious rice bowl tradition. The history, preparation methods, and where to experience the best unagi in Singapore.
Ten Don: Mastering the Tempura Bowl
The art of crispy tempura over rice. Learn what makes exceptional ten don and where to find it in Singapore.
Kaisen Don: A Seafood Lover's Guide
Everything about Japan's beloved seafood rice bowl. From selecting the freshest fish to enjoying it like a connoisseur.
Gyu Don: The Beef Bowl Bible
Everything you need to know about Japan's most popular rice bowl. History, preparation, and the best gyu don in Singapore.
Quick Facts About Don
Donburi dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868)
Pronounced "don" or "donburi," meaning "bowl"
From Gyu Don to Unagi Don and beyond
Originally Japan's quick, affordable meal
Ready to Find Your Perfect Bowl?
Now that you know about don, explore the best donburi restaurants in Singapore.