Don Don Donki @ Orchard Central – Don Quijote Launches First Flagship Store In Singapore

Japanese discount store Don Quijote partnered with its holding company for overseas operations, Pan Pacific International Holdings Pte Ltd to launch its first ever Southeast Asian store outside of Japan, Don Don Donki store in Orchard Central which is opened to the public from 1st December 2017. Aimed to position itself as the "Japanese Brand Specialist" by offering products that are either made or designed in Japan, it also curates a unique retail experience with focuses on convenience, quality and price affordability through the store's refreshing concept and design.

Occupying a double-storey retail space that spans 1,397 sq m at basement B1 and B2 of the mall, it operates 24 hours, seven days a week, and features a wide array of authentic Japanese merchandise that define the Donki experience, yet carefully selected to suit local preferences. The broad diversity of products, estimated at a jaw-dropping 30,000 items ranges from daily household items, cosmetics, stationery, kitchen goods, novelty items to fresh foods and beverages amongst many others. One would be able to find almost anything at Don Don Donki. It's akin to the Japanese version of Singapore's Mustafa.

A Hokkaido themed retail experience is adopted, having a third of its specialty offerings curated from Hokkaido, including fresh meat, fish and produce such as the Tokachi Beef. The bottom basement level boasts a mega huge super mart filled with a wide variety of fresh meat produce, such as packages of fresh seafood and premium cuts of beef, Tokachi Hokkaido Wagyu (Kobe) beef at $20 per 100g which is imported directly from Japan. We tasted a sample of it during the media preview. With a texture so tender and succulent that just melts in the mouth with each bite, it is definitely more than enough to warrant return purchases for their fresh meats.

Don Don Donki also features a ready to eat section with bento boxes, onigiri and gelato made from Hokkaido milk, where customers can purchase and immediately tuck into these takeaways.

Fruits and vegetables are restocked daily to ensure its freshness. The myriad of colourful fresh produce on display showcases a very rare variety of Japanese such as the Mutsu and Kurenaino Yame. They come in mega sizes and are priced at $2.90 each. The sweetness, sourness and hardness levels of each apple variety are displayed on the signboards for customers to differentiate and make their most preferred choice.

A plethora of Japanese nibbles occupying rows and rows of shelves would definitely render shoppers spoilt for choices with the huge varieties of snack items available. It is akin to heaven for all kids and adults alike.

The drinks section features a variety of Japanese alcoholic drinks, as well as non alcoholic ones such as the juices and soy milk beverages. If you’re brave enough, do try their Natto Sodas and Salty Squid drinks, which are labelled as the most disgusting drinks in Japan.

The second storey of Don Don Donki features essentials, household items, cosmetics, luggage, stationery, as well as toy plushies, quirky accessories, costumes and party goods. The section which would most possibly trigger potential impulse buys, you might spend more time exploring the multitude of interesting items that they have there than you intended to.

With the festive season just around the corner, the shelves are piled high with Christmas goods, decorations and festive wear. This is the perfect place to do some of your Christmas shopping, and just in time too!

In partnership with Hokkaido Marche, a dine-in space will be rolled out in Jan 2018 to further enhance the true Hokkaido dining experience. The exact opening hours for Hokkaido Marche will be confirmed nearer to the opening date. Good new is that Don Don Donki is set to open a second outlet in Tanjong Pagar mid-June 2018. There are also plans for further expansion into Asia, with a store launching in Thailand next December.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Don Don Donki
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
#B1-15 to #B1-29,
#B2-01 to #B2-10,
#B2-30 to #B2-43
Tel: +65 69283043
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours: 
Daily: 24 Hours

Direction:
Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

UNI Gallery by OosterBay @ The Plaza (Beach Road) - All Things Uni Here

Uni is an elusive ingredient. If you understand it, you will love it. Just as its nature, our very first uni specialised restaurant, UNI Gallery is located at a secluded spot at the basement of The Plaza at Beach Road. Out of sight, I literary had to hunt it down during my first visit. UNI Gallery's curated menu claims to serve the most expansive Uni Menu air-flown from Japan, USA and Canada.

Small space but is given another dimension by the specially commissioned wallpapers. Unlike the usual elegant ambience in a Japanese restaurant where you could have an intimate session with your divine food, the interior of this small space is being transformed into canvas for larger-than-life graphics, with uni motifs boldly illustrated. An exception, is the column facing the sashimi counter - a fish-motif wallpaper instead.

The Uni Bomb 4/5

Akin to degustation dish, The Uni Bomb ($99) features 3 different types of uni paired alongside condiments and served with a shot of Japanese gin or sake. Overlaying the the sweet kegani (hairy crab) meat is a slab of Aka Uni. Less assertive in taste, your palate will ease into it easily especially if it's your first attempt. Being bigger size and balance in flavour make it versatile, hence it is more commonly used in the market. The sweetness of the kegani heightened its subtle taste. Bafun Uni is smaller and more refine, firmer and brinier in taste but sweeter as well. Its creamy texture is lusciously desirable, like mayo with fries as you eat it with the cute crispy fried sawagani. Leave the Uni Shutou Yuzu to the last as it is much bolder in flavour. Enriched with yuzu, the Uni Shutou is umami-packed with a hint of citrus flavour. A little goes a long way in rendering bursts of piquancy to the wagyu beef and take that to a full swing with sips of sake or Japanese Gin in between.

Uni Oyster Shot 3/5

Another must try item includes Uni Oyster Shot ($25). Canadian Aka Uni with iIkura roe served on Canadian fresh oyster. I have my reservations when comes to pairing oysters with other ocean creatures which may tilt the level of mineral taste over. This is still acceptable and worth trying for oysters lovers.

Uni Tokusen Sashimi 4/5

Air-flown 4 times a week, the freshness and quality of UNI Gallery's sashimi are on par with its uni. Enjoy seasonal delicacies such as ankimo (monk fish liver), kinmeidai (golden eye snapper) and hirame (flounder). Uni Tokusen Sashimi platter priced at $38 onward, such as what we have here - Canadian Aka Uni, hirame, salmon belly, otoro, hamaji belly, tai, shima aji.

Uni Maki 3.5/5

Another way to appreciate uni is none other than having it over sushi rice, which lends a tinge of acidity and textural contrast. Uni Maki ($68), wrapped within are sweet snow crab and crunchy cucumber, and atop are creamy Canadian Aka uni and savoury tobiko roe and tamago bits. You get a balance of sweetness and savouriness in one bite.

Uni Ikura Chirashi 3.5/5

The lunch set here is highly recommended. For just $34.90, you get a bowl of Uni Ikura Chirashi with green tea and miso soup. The usual price is $68 for a la carte. Slabs of fresh uni and salmon roe on Japanese rice, I reckon such amount is enough to satisfy your craving. Though the texture of the uni is not as firm, it is a very affordable option if you just want a quick uni fix.

Can't get enough? Fresh raw Uni selection ranges from the house uni Canadian Aka Uni $20/portion to highly acclaimed Japanese Higashizawa Shiro Uni $180/portion and Japanese Hadate Shira Uni $180/portion.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


UNI Gallery by OosterBay
The Plaza
7500A Beach Road
#B1-310
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 98388209
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) 1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to The Concourse building. Take the exit down to Nicoll Highway and walk towards Parkroyal Serviced Residences. Cut through towards The Plaza at Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]